Terry Goddard (D)
TUCSON, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has withdrawn his lawsuit that sought to block the closure of the Tucson (Ariz.) Citizen newspaper.
The lawsuit challenging Gannett Co.'s closure of the newspaper was dismissed Tuesday prejudice, which allows the attorney general to re-file the case later.
The 138-year-old Citizen published its last print edition on May 16. Goddard filed his lawsuit, citing violations of federal antitrust laws.
The attorney general had sought to force the newspaper to continue publishing, but U.S. District Judge Raner Collins last week refused to intervene.
Goddard's lawsuit claimed that McLean, Va.-based Gannett conspired with Lee Enterprises Inc., the owner of the Tucson's larger newspaper, the morning Arizona Daily Star, to close the Citizen as part of a plan to increase profits to both companies.
"The agreement between Gannet and Lee will result in decreased competition and, consequently, monopoly profits to both companies," Goddard said.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.