(Reuters). – A Denver jury acquitted DaVita (NYSE ) and Kent Thiry (ex-CEO) Friday on charges they conspired to hire other employees.

In the DaVita case, the Justice Department claimed that Surgical Care Affiliates LLC and DaVita required that senior employees seeking to work for them notify their employers they are job-hunting.

Thiry released a statement saying that the jury had ruled against this case. I want to express my gratitude for the support that this community provided during this time of difficulty.

While traditional antitrust enforcement has been focused on innovation and prices, the Biden administration is shifting its attention to illegal deals that may lower wages.