Tribune: Gannett trying to 'steal the company'

Gannett Co. Inc. is taking its bid for Tribune Publishing Co. straight to Tribune shareholders. And Tribune company officials aren't happy about it.

"Gannett has no path to control for Tribune Publishing and their tactics clearly demonstrate a desperate and opportunistic attempt to steal the company," Tribune officials said in a statement yesterday.

Last week, Gannett - the owner of USA Today and the Springfield News-Leader - made an unsolicited bid for rival Tribune - the owner of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune - in a deal valued at $815 million.

Gannett yesterday asked Tribune stockholders to vote to withhold the company's board of directors nominees. Tribune's annual meeting is June 2.

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