Unusual Ending to Gold Suit

Not surprisingly, the defendants are feeling vindicated by the turn of events in the case.

"This is what we said all along, it was without merit," says George Milling-Stanley, manager of investment and market intelligence at WGC in New York.

The trial began last Wednesday in Manhattan State Supreme Court. But a day later, Justice Carol Edmead agreed to dismiss the matter.

Still, there may be more to this story. But for now the parties are keeping quiet.

"I cannot reveal the other terms of the settlement with you," Ascani says. Likewise Ascani's attorney, Charles Hecht of Hecht & Associates, also declined to comment.