Kroger Co. revealed on Monday in a press release that it decided to sue the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over the latter's request for the deal with Albertsons Companies Inc., valued at $24.6 billion, to be reviewed.
"The company argues that by proceeding in its administrative tribunal, in addition to the separate action in federal court, the FTC is violating Constitutional protections ... The FTC has sought to split its challenge to the merger into two separate tribunals in an inappropriate attempt to receive multiple opportunities to litigate the same issues," Kroger commented.
Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen underlined that the potential merger focuses on "ensuring we bring customers lower prices," adding that the company is ready to defend the deal. He went on to call FTC's proceeding "unlawful," urging the US District Court, Southern District of Ohio, to block it.