The state’s highest court on Tuesday declined to review a case against the dividend brought by state Attorney General
Ferguson had argued that the payment could financially weaken Albertsons and lead to shuttering locations of Albertsons and of Safeway, which Albertsons owns.
In a two-page ruling, the court rejected reviewing the case or extending a temporary restraining order blocking the dividend.
Albertsons, which is based in
Ferguson said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that his office respects the decision but is surprised and disappointed the state Supreme Court decided not to hear the case.
Ferguson’s case was the final obstacle to the dividend after a federal judge in
Grocery-store closures have been a concern in the
Grocery store unions also expressed dismay at Tuesday’s ruling.
“We are disappointed to see a ruling that favors a small number of ultra-wealthy shareholders over the many thousands of essential workers and millions of Americans who will be left to suffer the consequences of the outright financial looting of Albertsons,” said a joint statement from by several grocery unions, including
Albertsons will immediately begin the process of paying the dividend to stockholders, the company said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Tuesday’s ruling doesn’t affect the months-long approval process for the proposed
“This merger is far from a done deal,” Ferguson said. “My team and I will be conducting a thorough review.”
Nationwide,
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