Entertainment
David Ellison’s Threat to Move Paramount Out of California Is ‘Blackmail,’ State AG Rob Bonta Says
California attorney general Rob Bonta is calling David Ellison’s bluff.
After word leaked that the Paramount Skydance CEO told his top lieutenants last week that he will move the company out of California if Bonta doesn’t agree to negotiate a settlement of the state AGs’ antitrust lawsuit, Bonta responded on social media by calling the move “blackmail.”
“In a span of weeks, Paramount agreed to halt the merger until a court decision or until June 2027, asked for a November trial, and is now back with another attempt to blackmail the state into letting an illegal deal through,” Bonta said. “Paramount has lost the plot as it continues to lose in court. It didn’t work the first time — on the eve of our July lawsuit — and it won’t work this time. This illegal merger will result in higher costs, fewer options, and fewer people making movies. My office remains committed to stopping illegal consolidation and protecting a vibrant California economy for businesses that play by the rules.”
More to come…
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