Not signing that deal

One of our big cases just took a big turn.

Last year, I told you we were suing Ticketmaster/Live Nation for running an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry.

When those two companies merged about 15 years ago, they gained control over the three big pieces of the industry: the venues, the artists, and the tickets.

If you control all three - congrats! - you’re a monopoly.

Which is not technically against the law. What is against the law is using your monopoly power to drive out competition and exploit your customers’ lack of choices to hike up prices.

Which is exactly what they did.

So after months of preparation, 40 state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice went to trial together - one of the biggest antitrust cases in years.

Our first witness owned a venue and testified that Live Nation threatened to retaliate against him unless he accepted their terms. Our second witness said the same thing.

We were rolling.

Then, early Monday morning, USDOJ suddenly announced that they had privately negotiated a deal with Ticketmaster/Live Nation.

And they were bailing on the case. Mid-trial.

Forty attorneys general found out at the same time, and so did USDOJ’s own lead trial attorney - the guy who had been in the courtroom presenting the case.

Which means this deal wasn’t made in the courthouse - it was made in D.C.

Then USDOJ gave us 24 hours to join the deal.

Here was my answer:

Absolutely not. The deal is terrible. It’s barely a slap on the wrist and does nothing to address the core issue: We need more competition in this market to bring down prices, and that means addressing Live Nation’s total control over Ticketmaster.

I’m going to keep fighting for that outcome, and I expect the majority of AGs to do the same - including Republicans and Democrats.

Here’s our video about this whole episode, and I’ll update you soon.

Watch Video

Back in December, I told you we won a major lawsuit against FEMA.

It was $200 million for North Carolina, and the court made it clear FEMA had to pay.

But FEMA refused. They defied the court order.

So we took them back to court, and last week, we won again.

“But c’mon, what’s going to make them pay this time?”

Good question. The court created a strict timeline: Within three weeks, FEMA has to show steps proving compliance. If they fail at any point, we’ll be right back in front of the same judge.

The judge acknowledged FEMA is in a shutdown with a staffing shortage - and a recent leadership change with Kristi Noem’s departure - but said that wasn’t a defense. These funds are owed, and FEMA must pay.

Sometimes people ask, “What if the federal government just refuses to obey the court?”

I used to say, “That hasn’t happened yet, but if it does, we’ll take it seriously - and I bet the court will, too.”

Well, now it has happened. We took it seriously, and so did the court.

I’ll report back as soon as the money starts flowing.

Imagine how badly you have to screw up as a wedding photographer to get the attention of your state’s attorney general.

I give you, Holly Christina Photography.

At least 166 couples are out approximately $750,000. This company sold wedding photo and video packages costing up to $7,000 by using high-pressure tactics, telling customers, “You’re getting the last spot. Hurry up and book.”

But it wasn’t the last spot. They were often double- and triple-booking weddings on the same day.

So now we have couples who paid thousands and never got their photos - and others scrambling to find a new photographer a few weeks before their wedding, without the money they already paid.

We asked victims to contact our office and promptly got 166 complaints, with more coming in. We did a rapid investigation, found plenty of evidence, and now we’re suing the company and its two owners. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Long email, quick request:

The Ticketmaster video above is exactly what I’d love for people across the state to see. The Lighthouse Fund exists for that purpose - so we don’t have to wait until the next election to reach voters. The fund helps us push our videos out to independent voters, which is a great way to build support over time.

If you can, please chip in here (ActBlue) or here (non-ActBlue) - and thanks for helping us keep the light on.

Best,

Jeff

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P.S. - While I was writing this email, Marisa sent me this picture Avery did at school. (We played basketball in the neighbor’s driveway yesterday.) I had to share it. It might take a little work to decipher, but it’s worth it!