District Judge Michael Farbiarz, who had been assigned the case, said in a brief order that he should recuse himself from the case under a judicial ethics rule that can restrict judges from hearing litigation in which they or a member of your family have any close connection or financial ties.
The order said that his recusal was mandatory, but Farbiarz did not indicate the precise reason for his disqualification. The magistrate did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case was reassigned to District Judge Julien Neals of New Jersey.
Both Farbiarz and Neals were appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden. Neals has held the position since 2021 and previously worked as a New Jersey county government attorney. Farbiarz has been in the position since last year, when he left his position as general counsel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Farbiarz's recusal order appeared to come without any request from Apple or the Justice Department. The Government declined to comment on Wednesday. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Justice Department, along with 15 states, sued Apple in March, accusing the Cupertino, California-based tech giant of monopolizing the smartphone market through restrictions on app developers that limit choice and innovation. , which, he said, forces consumers to pay higher prices.
Apple has denied the allegations and stated that the lawsuit “threatens who we are and the principles that distinguish Apple products in fiercely competitive markets.”
The lawsuit led to other private civil lawsuits from consumers and businesses. Many of those cases were filed in New Jersey and were also reassigned to Neals.
