Former Anthem lobbyist Makan Delrahim tapped by Trump to lead Department of Justice antitrust division
Antitrust division is currently fighting Anthem's appeal of federal court decision blocking its merger with Cigna.
Department of Justice-Washington D.C.
Former Anthem lobbyist Makan Delrahim is President Donald Trump's pick to lead the antitrust division of the Department of Justice, according to the Wall Street Journal and other published reports.
Delrahim is current deputy White House counsel.
He reportedly worked as a lobbyist for Anthem from July 2015 to September 2016 on antitrust issues associated with the insurer's proposed $54 billion acquisition of Cigna, according to the International Business Times.
The antitrust division of the Justice Department is currently fighting Anthem's appeal of a federal court decision in February blocking its merger with Cigna.
[Also: GOP pulls healthcare bill after signs pointed to embarrassing defeat]
Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish and attorneys for Anthem have said they expect a better outcome of the case under a new administration.
The watchdog group United to Protect Democracy sent a letter to the Justice Department last week asking for an investigation into the White House's contacts with Anthem, including a phone call between President Donald Trump and Swedish.
United to Protect Democracy's Ian Bassin is a former associate White House counsel under President Obama.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
