In a twist of legal maneuvers, Alphabet’s Google finds itself unable to circumvent a jury trial regarding its alleged stronghold in the digital advertising realm. The U.S. Justice Department firmly rebuffed Google’s attempt to divert the lawsuit by simply cutting a check, emphasizing that the matter must face a jury’s scrutiny.
The crux of the issue revolves around accusations that Google unfairly inflated prices for online ad purchases, particularly targeting government agencies, to the tune of over $100 million. The lawsuit, spearheaded by the Justice Department and several states, seeks to dismantle a significant portion of Google’s lucrative ad tech empire.
Google adamantly denies these claims, contending that the government concocted the allegations to secure a jury trial improperly. According to Google’s argument, if the case were solely about seeking an injunction, it should remain under a judge’s purview.
In a bid to settle the matter swiftly, Google dispatched a cashier’s check to the Justice Department, ostensibly covering the damages. However, the Justice Department, declining to disclose the amount, dismissed the gesture, deeming it insufficient and unaccompanied by an admission of liability.
Notably, Google’s attempt to attach conditions to the payment, including disclaiming any admission of guilt, further irked the Justice Department. In response, the Department criticized Google’s opacity regarding its anticompetitive practices.
In a statement, Google pushed back, suggesting that the Justice Department’s dissatisfaction stemmed from the limited damages it could assert. The company reiterated that its payment aligned with the government’s own previously acknowledged maximum damages.
Despite this impasse, the door remains open for Google to settle damages, potentially resolving a crucial aspect of the case. The Justice Department, while expressing confidence in a fair adjudication, stands firm on the necessity of a trial, whether by jury or bench.
With a hearing slated for June and the jury trial earmarked for September, the legal saga between the U.S. and Google continues to unfold, underscoring the high stakes in the battle against alleged monopolistic practices in the digital landscape.
