FTC Chair Simons Recuses from Qualcomm Antitrust Case (1)

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons has recused himself from the agency’s antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm Inc.

The recusal, confirmed by agency spokesman Peter Kaplan Nov. 2, comes as the parties seek to work out a settlement in the case, which will require a majority vote by the five-member commission. Without Simons, a party-line vote would mean a 2-2 split.

A split means no action can be taken by the commission. Democrats now have more leverage to shape the outcome of the case. They can push for specific settlement conditions or keep the matter in litigation.

“To accept the settlement, ...