ST. PAUL, MINN. — Agri Stats filed a motion on Nov. 8 to move the antitrust lawsuit between itself, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and four states to another court.

Initially filed with the District Court of Minnesota in September by the DOJ, the lawsuit alleges that Agri Stats distributed confidential information, interfering with meat and poultry prices and competition.

Last week, four state attorneys general from Minnesota, California, North Carolina and Tennessee joined the DOJ in its allegations against Agri Stats.

In the data company’s recent motion, it requested the case be transferred to the Northern District of Illinois.

“Agri Stats is not located in this district; none of the events giving rise to Plaintiffs’ claims occurred in this district; and Agri Stats does not transact substantial business in this district. What little business Agri Stats has in this district is unrelated to Plaintiffs’ claims,” the court documents said.

When evaluating the transfer of a case, the court considers the convenience of the parties, the convenience of the witnesses and the interests of justice.

Agri Stats said the Northern District of Illinois would be more convenient for the company and its employee witnesses, all of whom are located in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The company added that the Northern District of Illinois has heard a case with similar claims to the lawsuit at hand, and that case has already been resolved.

As an alternative to the Northern District of Illinois, Agri Stats proposed moving the lawsuit to the Northern District Indiana.