Google Pays $2.3 Million for Trial by Judge, Not Jury, in US Antitrust Case

  • Justice Department sought jury trial in monopolization case
  • ‘The cashier’s check satisfies any damages claim,’ judge said

The Justice Department sued Google in 2023, alleging the company monopolized the technology used to buy and sell online advertising.

Photographer: AFP/Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

A federal judge ruled that Alphabet Inc. will face a bench trial instead of a jury in the US Justice Department’s antitrust case alleging monopolization of the advertising technology market after the company paid the federal government $2.3 million.

Judge Leonie Brinkema said the cashier’s check for $2,289,751 satisfied any damages that eight federal government agencies alleged they suffered from Google’s conduct. Because the damages are no longer part of the case, Brinkema ruled a jury is no longer needed and she will oversee the trial, set to begin in September.