The Federal Trade Commission asked a federal court in Seattle on Wednesday to delay a September trial that allegedly Amazon misinterpreted consumers with its major subscription services, citing “a severe lack of resources in both money and personnel.”
FTC lawyer Jonathan Cohen told District Judge John Chun during the hearing that the agency is facing a “disastrous resource situation” amidst the cost-cutting measures enacted under President Donald Trump's administration.
“We lost employees in our agency, department and case team,” Cohen said.
Some employees in the lawsuit received an offer to resign in January, with other employees resigning for other reasons or scheduled for leave during trial and unable to fill their positions due to employment freezes, Cohen said.
Cohen also cited new spending restrictions that limit FTC lawyers to purchase transcripts of court cases and deposits on the cheapest delivery schedule.
The judge asked the FTC to write a request to delay the trial later in the fall.
