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US: Report alleges antitrust monitor has committed ‘major abuse’ against Apple

By  |  February 17, 2015

A scathing critique by The Wall Street Journal, of Michael Bromwich, the lawyer overseeing Apple after it lost an iBooks antitrust lawsuit circulated Tuesday. It alleges that he has unfairly billed the company some $2.65 million for investigative practices that have gone well beyond the initial intent of his role.

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    The page-long editorial makes a case against Michael Bromwich, who was appointed by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in 2013 to oversee issues related to her ruling that found Apple fixed the price of ebooks.

    The editorial critiques Bromwich, who is billing $1,100/hour, has no background in antitrust law, and that he is a friend of the judge. It also claims he has exceeded his authority.

    Bromwich’s role is supposed to focus on antitrust compliance and training measures, but the Journal’s investigation concluded that the attorney “has been stumbling all around Cupertino to conduct a roving, unfettered inquisition into Apple’s business.”

    “In other words, he wasn’t acting as a neutral court officer but as an agent of the prosecution — and then charging Apple for his trouble,” the editorial states.

    Full Content: The Wall Street Journal

     

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