Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus has won a $9.3 million lawsuit  to settle claims that the circus abused its elephants.

The settlement is with  the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

That group was one of several that  sued the circus’ owner, Feld Entertainment claiming elephants were abused.

Courts later found that the animal rights activists had paid a former Ringling employee to bring the lawsuit and that the man didn’t have the right to sue the circus.

Feld Entertainment then sued the animal rights groups, accusing them of conspiracy to harm its business and other illegal acts.

The settlement covers only the ASPCA.