Amazon is strategically hiring former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officials in preparation for an anticipated antitrust battle with the agency. According to sources, Amazon has already recruited around a dozen former FTC officials. This move is seen as a way for Amazon to gain valuable intelligence on its opponent and gather insights into the inner workings of the FTC. Some of the notable hires include Brian Huseman, who now manages Amazon’s policy shop, Amy Posner, who serves as senior corporate counsel, and Sean Pugh, who is a senior manager in public policy.
One factor that has facilitated Amazon’s hiring spree is the alleged discontent among FTC staffers, many of whom have left the agency due to their dissatisfaction with FTC Chair Lina Khan’s management style. Khan, a legal prodigy whose dissertation focused on antitrust concerns involving Amazon, has reportedly disregarded career staffers and spent less time engaging with them compared to previous FTC chairs. This perceived lack of appreciation from leadership has made these employees more susceptible to offers from external organizations.
Despite the exodus of disgruntled FTC staffers, Amazon’s aggressive recruitment efforts highlight the seriousness with which the company views the threats from the agency. The FTC has already filed three lawsuits against Amazon and is expected to initiate an antitrust suit aimed at breaking up the company in the near future. Amazon’s hiring strategy allows it to gain valuable insight into the FTC’s decision-making processes, internal politics, and overall enforcement attitude. By leveraging this knowledge, Amazon seeks to strengthen its position in its impending legal battle.
While critics argue that the hiring spree points to a weakened FTC, others argue that it highlights the agency’s need for more robust regulation and enforcement. Last week, the FTC sued Amazon for allegedly misleading consumers into unknowingly enrolling in Amazon Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel subscriptions. Speculations suggest that the FTC’s antitrust suit could potentially result in actions such as the spinoff of Amazon Web Services, divestment of its logistics business, or unwinding major acquisitions like MGM and Whole Foods.
However, it is worth noting that there are legal restrictions preventing FTC employees working on an Amazon case from directly joining the tech giant. These employees must undergo a “garden leave” period before transitioning.
In addition to the aforementioned hires, notable former FTC staff who have joined Amazon include Andi Arias, Meghan Iorianni, Brian Berggren, Elisa Kantor Perelman, Stelios Xenakis, Pallavi Guniganti, and Aaron Ross. Amazon has remained tight-lipped regarding their recruitment efforts.
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