ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, AP Legal Affairs Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Securities filings show the Justice Department is investigating alleged antitrust violations by the country’s biggest movie theater chains.

AMC and Cinemark both acknowledged investigative demands by the government in recent SEC quarterly filings.

Last month, AMC also acknowledged similar requests from Ohio, Florida, Kansas, New York, Texas, Washington and the District of Columbia.   AMC Theatres announced on Wednesday that it has completed its $172 million acquisition of Starplex Cinemas, including locations in Salina, Hays and Pittsburg in Kansas.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Thursday that his office was among 10 jurisdictions examining whether AMC, Cinemark and Regal have taken action to keep competitors and new theaters out of the market.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

Messages seeking comment were also left with Leawood, Kansas-based AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc.; Plano, Texas-based Cinemark Holdings Inc.; and Knoxville, Tennessee-based Regal Entertainment Group.