RICHMOND, Va. — An administrative law judge dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) complaint against cigarette maker Altria Group Inc. and e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc. stemming from Altria’s 2018 minority investment in Juul.
“We are pleased with this decision and have said all along that our minority investment in Juul does not harm competition and does not violate the antitrust laws,” said Murray Garnick, executive vice president and general counsel at Altria.
In April 2020, the FTC issued an administrative complaint against Richmond, Va.-based Altria and San Francisco-based Juul alleging that Altria’s 35% investment in Juul and the associated agreements violated federal antitrust laws and eliminated competition.
The judge’s decision is subject to review by the FTC, and any decision made by the FTC could be appealed to any U.S. Court of Appeals.
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