California AG Open to Paramount Settlement Talks, Cites Legal Wins
Rob Bonta, while asserting confidence in his case against the Paramount-Skydance merger, stated he is willing to negotiate if Paramount engages in good faith.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated Thursday that he believes his office is succeeding in its legal challenge to block the merger between Paramount and Skydance. However, Bonta also indicated an openness to settlement discussions if Paramount demonstrates sincerity.
Speaking at the Atlantic Festival, Bonta expressed confidence in the lawsuit, suggesting it is progressing favorably. This comes as some Democratic leaders in California have encouraged him to reach a settlement.
When asked about the possibility of negotiations, especially considering Paramount CEO David Ellison's threat to relocate the company and its jobs out of California if the suit is not dropped, Bonta adopted a more conciliatory stance. "We are always open to coming to the table if it is in good faith and it is sincere," Bonta said. "And we will always explore an opportunity to get the results that we want based on our evaluation of the case at the table."
Earlier in the week, the Attorney General's office, Paramount, and the Writers Guild of America announced plans for two days of talks aimed at resolving the dispute next month. Bonta had previously canceled a meeting with Paramount, citing the studio's alleged leaking of inaccurate details.
Bonta also rejected Paramount's request for California and 11 other states involved in the suit to post a $1.88 billion bond. He dismissed this as "buyer's remorse" and an attempt by Paramount to "manufacture, invent, generate leverage in the case" after seeking to reschedule the trial for next June.
Recent weeks have seen pressure from within Bonta's own party, with figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly urging him to settle the case to preserve thousands of jobs in the state. Bonta, however, projected confidence amid this pressure.
"We sued and we've been winning in the case so far," Bonta stated. He added that while Paramount continues to threaten to leave California, any such decision would be solely the company's responsibility. "We will do our job. We have a job to enforce the law without fear, without favor."
Reports emerged Wednesday that Paramount had nearly announced its departure from Los Angeles but postponed the decision. This heightened pressure on state and city officials to retain the entertainment company's presence.
Mayor Bass's office stated that it is "focused on protecting and fighting for jobs in LA, including critical jobs in the entertainment industry that have been a vital part of Los Angeles' economy."