Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: House Lawmaker Calls for Investigation into Possible Improper Disclosures During FTC’s Google Investigation, (Jan 8, 2013)

By Jeffrey May, J.D.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (California) has called on the FTC Inspector General to investigate whether the Commission or staff disclosed nonpublic information to the public or press regarding the agency's now-resolved investigation into Google Inc. In a January 3 letter, sent to FTC Inspector General Scott Wilson (before the agency disclosed the outcome of its investigation), Rep. Issa called for an inquiry to “discover the source of the leaks, as well as the depth of nonpublic information disclosed.”

Rep. Issa joins other federal lawmakers in expressing concerns over apparent leaks of information regarding the agency’s Google investigation. In November, two House Democrats—Anna G. Eshoo (California), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Zoe Lofgren (California)—called the purported release of sensitive details from an internal draft FTC report “irresponsible.” Also in November, Senator Ron Wyden (Oregon) suggested that the apparent leaks of confidential information from within the investigation were eroding the credibility of the FTC. Rep. Issa’s letter also points to comments from Senator John Kerry (Massachusetts) over “poorly kept secrets.”

Rep. Issa has asked that the investigation be initiated as soon as possible.

News: Antitrust FederalTradeCommissionNews