Bonta Halts Paramount Merger Talks, 12-State Suit Heads to March Trial
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Aug 25
Bonta Halts Paramount Merger Talks, 12-State Suit Heads to March Trial
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Aug 25
Summary
No new settlement session is scheduled with Paramount, Rob Bonta said after canceling Monday talks over what he called leaked and false accounts of confidential merger negotiations.
Bonta said only his office and Paramount knew what was discussed, accused the company of violating the talks' confidentiality rules, and said negotiations could resume if Paramount "stop[s] playing games."
Paramount denied being the source of any leaks and said it remains ready for good-faith discussions to resolve the attorneys general's challenge to its proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
12 state attorneys general sued last month to block the deal; a judge temporarily barred closing, Paramount agreed not to complete it until June or legal issues are resolved, and trial is set for next March.