Roberts sides with Google over South Carolina parks department in subpoena fight stemming from antitrust case

Washington — Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday rejected an effort by South Carolina's parks department to block a subpoena from Google that was issued as part of a multi-state antitrust lawsuit brought against the tech giant.

The subpoena dispute stems from a federal lawsuit that several states filed against Google alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws through its online display advertising business. As part of the discovery process, Google issued a subpoena to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for its proprietary online advertising file.

The department refused to comply with the subpoena and sought to quash it, arguing that it is shielded by 11th Amendment immunity from suits brought in federal court. Two other South Carolina agencies complied with subpoenas from Google.