A coalition of 13 attorneys general joined with DirecTV on Wednesday in accusing Nexstar of violating an injunction by appointing the members of Tegna‘s board.
The two TV station groups were ordered in April to halt their integration and to maintain independent operations pending the outcome of an antitrust trial. But Nexstar has since appointed its own current and former executives to serve on Tegna’s board, which the plaintiffs allege is not allowed under the order.
“Nexstar cannot simultaneously control TEGNA’s Board and comply with an injunction requiring TEGNA to remain independent,” the plaintiffs wrote. “This should have been obvious.”
The plaintiffs asked Judge Troy Nunley, who issued the order, to clarify that it does not permit Nexstar to oversee Tegna’s operations in this way.
In response, Nexstar said it has “scrupulously complied with the Court’s hold-separate order.”
