The Antitrust Section of the Attorney General’s Office was established in 1976. Since its inception, the Section has recovered nearly $200 million on behalf of Florida’s citizens and taxpayers and state and local public entities within Florida.

The primary focus of the Section is the enforcement of state and federal antitrust laws through civil investigations and litigation under authority granted the Attorney General in the Florida Statutes. Over the years, the section’s successful antitrust enforcement efforts have not only resulted in sizable recoveries for Floridians and Florida’s public entities, but have also ensured more competitive markets in Florida.

The Section also seeks to preserve competition by reviewing proposed mergers and acquisitions. A merger review is triggered when the proposed activity may result in reduce competition which would adversely affect Floridians.

In addition to its enforcement role, the Section also provides antitrust counsel for the State and its agencies and serves as a competition advocate in that role. For example, the Section regularly reviews administrative rules proposed by the various professional boards for potential anti-competitive consequences and consults with Administrative Law Section attorneys regarding any such concerns.

The Section also periodically conducts or participates in seminars for state and local procurement officials, designed to instruct them on spotting potential bid-rigging. In addition, the Section regularly participates in education seminars for government and private attorneys both through the Florida Bar and nationally.

Florida's Attorney General announces $36 million nationwide settlement with maker of the drug Remeron

Attorney General resolves antitrust concerns with HCA, Inc. and Cleveland Clinic Florida, Inc.

Music distributors, retailers settle price fixing charges

Drug makers to pay $80 million in settlement

Company tentatively settles charges of unlawfully monopolizing cancer fighting drug

Florida settles tax certificate bid rigging case

Company tentatively settles charges of violations in blocking generic anti-anxiety drug

George Foreman grill makers to pay $8.2 million under agreement with states

Antitrust No-Action Letters

1. NAL 97-01 (April 23, 1997) to Clay County Dental Society, Inc. (fee survey)
2. NAL 98-01 (July 2, 1998) to Premier Dental, Inc. (dental care provider networks)
3. NAL 05-01 (November 21, 2005) to Wellington Regional Medical Center (settlement of Con litigation)
4. NAL 10-01 (March 31, 2010) to FAH (cancer trials)