Attorney general seeks probe of LV grocery deal

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the competitive effects that Kroger Co.'s acquisition of 18 Raley's stores would have on the Southern Nevada market.

In a letter faxed to FTC Chairman Timothy Muris, Del Papa also asked regulators to examine Kroger's plan to close three of the Raley's stores, which would put about 250 people out of work.

Kroger announced the acquisition plan Sept. 13.

Del Papa offered to allow her staff to participate in the investigation as it did in 1999 when the FTC reviewed Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons' purchase of the Lucky's supermarket chain from American Stores Co.

Del Papa's office also notified Kroger of the request by fax. The company could not be reached for comment on the matter.

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