Rep Waxman still worried about LA Times after meeting

After members of the his staff met with representatives of the Tribune, Rep Henry Waxman (D-CA) released a statement saying that he intends to continue his inquiry and will be seeking a personal meeting with Peter Liguori, CEO of the Tribune.

“I am better informed about the transaction as a result of the meeting, but my concern about the fate of the Los Angeles Times was not alleviated," Rep Waxman said. "The Tribune Company officials stressed their view that the company is acting in the best interests of its shareholders. My concern, however, is the best interests of the public in the on-going viability of the Los Angeles Times and other important newspapers." Rep Waxman has been sending letters to Liguori asking for documents and more information regarding their plans for his local paper. In the letters, Rep Waxman expresses concerns for the "onerous conditions the Tribune Co. is placing on the Los Angeles Times and other newspapers as part of its corporate restructuring." Those conditions include the Times going into debt to pay a "large cash dividend" to the Tribune and being required to pay rent on their own building. Tribune's General Counsel Eddie Lazarus and Chief Financial Officer Steven Berns attended the meeting, but did not yet provide the documents Rep Waxman sought in his earlier letters.