Calls for Investigation into California AG Rob Bonta’s Actions

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta faces scrutiny over calls for an investigation into his actions by Republican opponent Michael Gates and the California GOP. They question whether political contributions linked to Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings’ family influenced a lawsuit Bonta filed. The lawsuit aims to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Gates, the Republican candidate for attorney general, expressed concerns to Fox News Digital about the influence of financial ties. He criticized Bonta’s conduct, stating, “Rob Bonta has turned his taxpayer-funded office into a favor factory for his political bosses and donors. He’s pursuing politically-motivated litigation against a competitor for a company that’s bankrolled his PAC.”

This reeks of corruption, which has been an all-too-common pattern for him, and further shows why he’s wholly unfit to serve as our state’s top law enforcement officer. This all warrants an investigation into his activities to uncover the full truth about Bonta’s conduct.

Finance records show that Patty Quillin, Hastings’ wife, donated $1 million to the Smart Justice California Action Fund in March 2022. This committee supported Bonta and other progressive prosecutors. In May 2022, Smart Justice then contributed $150,000 to a committee supporting Bonta’s re-election.

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin also voiced concerns. She said, “This smells like Sacramento at its worst. Rob Bonta takes Netflix money, then turns around and uses his office to kneecap a Netflix rival.”

Fox News Digital reported that Bonta’s press office dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that the lawsuit stemmed from clear antitrust analysis. The office reiterated that its decisions are always based on facts and law, aimed at protecting Californians.

The lawsuit claims that the merger would grant the combined company about 27% of wide-release theatrical film distribution. The U.S. Justice Department, however, concluded that the transaction would not harm competition after an extensive investigation.

Britain’s competition regulator recently approved the acquisition, leaving Bonta’s lawsuit as a significant hurdle. The federal trial is set for March, with a decision not to close until after a ruling in June 2027.