SeaWorld Entertainment is under federal investigation regarding statements the company made about the 2013 documentary “Blackfish,” according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings released Friday.

  • SeaWorld Entertainment under investigation
  • Company received subpoena from the U.S. Dept. of Justice
  • Agency is investigating comments SeaWorld execs made about "Blackfish"

According to the documents, SeaWorld said it received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with an investigation concerning “disclosures and public statements” made by executives, including comments about the documentary's impact and trading in the company’s securities.

In August 2014, SeaWorld reported that revenue had fallen due to negative reports about its treatment captive killer whales, which were the subject of “Blackfish.”

SeaWorld also received similar subpoenas from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“The company has cooperated with these government inquiries and intends to continue to cooperate with any government requests or inquiries,” the filing said.  The filing also indicated that SeaWorld had formed a special committee to handle the investigation.