Oregon AG Seeks 60-Day Delay in Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal Over Lobbying Documents

The Attorney General of Oregon, Dan Rayfield, is requesting a 60-day suspension of Paramount's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Rayfield's office intends to seek a court order in Multnomah County to compel the handover of documents related to Paramount's lobbying efforts. While Paramount has stated the deal will not close before July 16, Oregon argues that the delay is necessary for a thorough review of the transaction's implications. Rayfield emphasized that Oregon residents have a direct stake in the deal, impacting the state's film industry, economy, and consumer choices. A Paramount spokesperson countered that the information sought by Oregon is irrelevant to the antitrust legality of the transaction and not a valid basis for delay, asserting that the company has already provided all necessary documents. Oregon is specifically seeking records concerning 'Project Warrior,' Paramount's internal designation for its regulatory approval campaign, and its lobbying activities with the Trump administration. The state also wants to ascertain Paramount's potential involvement in shaping the U.S. Department of Justice's statement approving the merger. This inquiry is partly fueled by a Wall Street Journal report suggesting political appointees within the DOJ overruled career attorneys who reportedly favored challenging the deal. The DOJ's official statement, however, indicated the merger would enhance competition and benefit consumers and workers. Several other U.S. states, including California and New York, are also reportedly preparing legal challenges to block the merger, citing concerns over reduced competition and potential job losses within the media and entertainment sectors.