Blanchard looks to add to Barrick complaint (May 26, 2003)

New Orleans-based bullion dealer Blanchard & Co. has filed a motion with a Louisiana district court to add to its antitrust complaint against Barrick Gold (ABX-T).

Blanchard is looking to supplement its original complaint with “previously undisclosed information about J.P. Morgan’s ownership interest in Barrick and Morgan’s monopoly position in the U.S. market for gold derivative contracts.”

Blanchard first launched its lawsuit in mid-December 2002, alleging the gold producer and J.P. Morgan suppressed the price of gold for the purpose of short selling. Blanchard wants the pair’s trading agreements cancelled.

Blanchard alleges the duo made some US$2 billion in short-selling profits since 1987.

Earlier this year, Barrick served a formal libel notice on Blanchard & Co. and its CEO, Donald Doyle Jr., seeking “substantial damages and other relief” for “false and defamatory statements” published by Blanchard and Doyle since December.

Barrick called Blanchard’s allegations “ludicrous” and “totally without merit.”