U.S. Probes Diller’s Bets on Activision Before Microsoft Deal
- Barry Diller says Justice Department has requested information
- Authorities probing if bets violated insider-trading rules
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U.S. authorities are investigating trading in Activision Blizzard Inc. options by Barry Diller and other investors just before Microsoft Corp. announced an acquisition of the video game studio.
IAC/InterActiveCorp Chairman Diller said through a spokesperson that the Justice Department had contacted him regarding the trades. However, he denied any wrongdoing, adding he had no knowledge of the impending deal and merely spotted a bargain in the market.