US: Sun files antitrust lawsuit against billionaire Adelson

The Las Vegas Sun filed a federal lawsuit against Sheldon Adelson and the ownership group of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (R-J), alleging Adelson is trying to stop the Sun from publishing in an effort to silence an alternative voice in Las Vegas.

In a complaint filed Tuesday, September 24, the Sun contends that the R-J’s owners violated a longstanding Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) under which both newspapers publish, virtually eliminating profit sharing and omitting the Sun from advertising and promotional materials. The goal, as alleged by the Sun, is for Adelson to muffle his local media critics, monopolize the local newspaper industry, and squelch dissent to his right-leaning editorial views.

“This guy (Adelson) wants to be in charge of what is said in the daily newspapers during the Nevada elections in 2020,” said Joseph Alioto, a California-based attorney representing the Sun. “There’s no question about that. It’s going to be an election year and (Adelson) wants to show his buddy, (President Donald) Trump, that he’s in charge in Nevada.”

The Sun claims that the R-J’s attack includes a “baseless and unlawful” effort in Clark County District Court to dissolve the JOA. A hearing on that matter was scheduled for Wednesday before Judge Timothy Williams.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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