Florida Attorney General demands New York Times corporate records

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has demanded that The New York Times Company open its corporate books and records to inspection. Acting on behalf of the State Board of Administration of Florida, which oversees the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund, Uthmeier is exercising shareholder rights as the fund holds between 148,000 and 160,000 shares of the company, valued at over $12 million.

In a 28-page letter, Uthmeier cited a pattern of factual errors and biased coverage as justification for the demand. Specifically, the letter references dozens of corrections issued by the newspaper regarding its coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, as well as reporting errors related to the January 6 Capitol riot and healthcare-related stories.

The Attorney General argues that these editorial failures expose the company to reputational harm, potential defamation litigation, and financial risks that could negatively impact shareholders, including Florida retirees. The demand seeks internal board documents, meeting minutes, and reports concerning the company’s oversight of editorial standards. The New York Times has been given 14 days to comply or permit an inspection before legal action is pursued.