DOJ ‘Perverted Justice’ in HPE Deal, Dismissed Official Says

The article discusses allegations made by a former Justice Department official who was dismissed last month. The official accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of "perverted justice" in its review of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) acquisition of Cray Inc. The official claimed that high-paid lobbyists had undue influence on the merger review process, and that some of his former colleagues undermined antitrust enforcement. He alleged that the DOJ's actions in the HPE-Cray deal were driven by these external pressures rather than a rigorous analysis of the potential anti-competitive effects. The article provides insights into the tensions and controversies surrounding the DOJ's merger review process, where allegations of political influence and the dilution of antitrust enforcement have been raised. The ex-official's comments shed light on the ongoing debates about the role of lobbyists and the balance between promoting competition and accommodating business interests in the context of corporate mergers and acquisitions.