Washington state plans to sue to block Kroger-Albertsons deal

The Washington state attorney general is expected to file a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed merger between Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. as soon as this week, according to a person familiar with the plan.

The lawsuit is expected to be filed in state court, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing an ongoing investigation.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and a group of other states that are also probing the deal aren’t involved in the Washington state lawsuit, the person said. Any lawsuit by the FTC would likely be filed in federal court and a decision is expected in the next few weeks.

The Washington attorney general’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.