Entertainment · The Record
Becerra says he prefers settlement of $110 billion Paramount-WBD suit as Bonta prepares for trial
The Democratic gubernatorial nominee argues for talks, while California's attorney general conditions settlement openness on good faith and says trial preparation continues.
Former health and human services secretary Xavier Becerra, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in California, said he wants the Paramount-WBD antitrust case resolved without a trial, Deadline reported.
Becerra, who served as California attorney general from 2017 to 2021 and as secretary of health and human services during the Biden administration, made the comments at a Politico conference on Tuesday, Deadline reported.
Deadline reported Becerra said, "You get way more done in the conference room than you do in the courtroom."
He added, "Conference room, not courtroom." Deadline reported.
TheWrap via Yahoo News reported the dispute centers on a $110 billion deal.
TheWrap via Yahoo News also reported the lawsuit involves 12 state attorneys general, including California's AG Rob Bonta, which means Bonta is included in that count.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta appeared at the same Politico conference on Tuesday and was asked about settlement, TheWrap via Yahoo Finance reported.
TheWrap via Yahoo Finance reported Bonta said the state is confident in its case and will prepare for trial.
It quoted Bonta as saying he is open to proposals only if the other side wants to talk, in his words, "in good faith and sincerely".
He added, "But right now, we're focused on litigation and going to trial." TheWrap via Yahoo Finance reported.
TheWrap reported Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin scheduled the trial to begin March 2, 2027.
Analysis: Based on the reporting above, the same Politico event carried a settlement preference from the Democratic gubernatorial nominee and a trial-focused posture from the attorney general involved in the case. The March 2, 2027 trial date is the checkable point for whether settlement talks surface.