US: DOJ settles with Sinclair

Sinclair has entered into a consent decree with the Justice Department (DOJ) to “resolve” DOJ’s investigation into its sharing of information among “certain stations in some local markets.” But it will not have to pay any fine or suffer any penalty, the DOJ announced.

The DOJ has not filed the consent decree, but Sinclair stated it expected it to by Thursday, November 8.

Sinclair cited the decree in its third-quarter earnings statement. Companies are required to inform investors of regulatory or legal actions that could affect the company’s performance.

Sinclair pointed out that the settlement was not an admission of guilt and did not involve “any monetary damages or penalties.”

DOJ concerns about Sinclair’s inventory control in markets where it sought two stations resulted in Sinclair restructuring its deal to acquire Tribune Media, a takeover that ultimately failed.