Justice Dept. Won’t Back SBC Michigan Bid

SBC Communications Inc. failed to win Justice Department support for its application to sell long-distance service in Michigan.

“Serious questions continue to be raised concerning the accuracy of SBC’s wholesale billing,” the department wrote in its recommendation to the Federal Communications Commission, which must rule on the application by Sept. 17.

It marked the second time this year U.S. antitrust attorneys have declined to back the company’s Michigan long-distance bid. Shares of San Antonio-based SBC fell 68 cents to $24.12 on the New York Stock Exchange.