NEW YORK — Attorneys general from 10 states, including Iowa’s Brenna Bird, have joined nearly 30 others seeking treble damages against Live Nation Entertainment and its ticket-selling unit, Ticketmaster, for allegedly monopolizing markets across the concert industry.
The lawsuit is an updated version of one originally filed in May, when the U.S. Justice Department, joined by several states, sued to break up Live Nation , arguing the concert promoter and Ticketmaster illegally inflated concert ticket prices and hurt artists.
Some states had sought damages under state law in the original lawsuit. By adding claims under the federal anti-monopoly law, states can seek three times the monetary damages.
On Monday,10 states joined the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, and 26 states and the District of Columbia added claims for treble damages on behalf of their residents.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that her office is seeking damages for what state residents were overcharged by Live Nation and Ticketmaster.