United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division
Recent News About United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division
-
Six charged in alleged bid-rigging scheme defrauding U.S. Government
Six individuals face charges for allegedly engaging in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government, and pay bribes related to IT products and services sold to federal government purchasers.
-
Charges filed against six accused of defrauding US Government in IT product sales
Six individuals face charges for their involvement in schemes aimed at defrauding the federal government, particularly through manipulating bids and engaging in bribery and kickbacks related to IT products and services sold to government purchasers.
-
Georgia executives sentenced for bid-rigging conspiracy in concrete industry
Four executives and a corporation have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy involving price-fixing, bid-rigging, and job allocation in the ready-mix concrete industry in Savannah, Georgia. The individuals charged were James Clayton Pedrick, Gregory Hall Melton, John David Melton, Timothy “Bo” Strickland, along with Evans Concrete LLC. These charges were initially filed in September 2020.
-
Justice Department supports FTC's updates on premerger notification form
The Justice Department's Antitrust Division has announced its agreement with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to finalize changes to the premerger notification form and related instructions. These changes, which also affect the premerger notification rules under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act, represent the first significant update to the HSR form since 1978.
-
Vice president pleads guilty in Michigan asphalt bid-rigging case
A senior executive from a Michigan-based asphalt paving company has admitted to his involvement in two separate bid-rigging conspiracies. David A. Coppola, vice president of Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc., based in Taylor, Michigan, entered a guilty plea today for conspiring with Asphalt Specialists LLC (ASI), F. Allied Construction Company Inc. (Allied), and their employees to manipulate bids for asphalt paving services contracts within the state.
-
Justice Department sues Visa for alleged monopolization of debit markets
The Justice Department has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Visa, accusing the company of monopolization and other unlawful conduct in debit network markets. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that Visa violates Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act by maintaining its monopoly over debit network markets.
-
Former president pleads guilty to price-fixing conspiracy affecting $50 million sales
An executive of a steel distributor in Carolina, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty today to conspiring with competitors to fix prices for sales of reinforcing bar, or rebar.
-
Federal agencies sign MOU to support merger review
The Justice Department, Department of Labor (DOL), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have signed an interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance communication and coordination between the agencies. This initiative aims to protect American workers and promote fair competition in labor markets.
-
Michigan company fined $6.5M for bid rigging in asphalt industry
A Michigan company was sentenced today to pay a criminal fine of $6.5 million for its role in conspiracies to rig bids for asphalt paving services contracts in the State of Michigan.
-
Federal grand jury indicts company executives for $100M price-fixing conspiracy
A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City returned an indictment, which was unsealed today, charging Sioux Erosion Control, Inc. (Sioux), its vice president, and another employee with a price-fixing conspiracy targeting over $100 million in publicly-funded transportation construction contracts across Oklahoma.
-
Justice Department comments on ruling in U.S. v Google
The Justice Department issued statements from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division regarding the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s decision in United States v. Google.
-
Justice Department announces settlement over alleged premerger coordination by Legends Hospitality
The Justice Department today filed a civil lawsuit and announced a proposed settlement with Legends Hospitality Parent Holdings LLC (Legends) for an alleged violation of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (HSR Act).
-
Justice Department comments on IAG's abandoned acquisition of Air Europa
The Justice Department has released a statement from Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Kades of the Antitrust Division following International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (IAG)'s decision to abandon its proposed acquisition of sole control of Air Europa Holding S.L. (Air Europa).
-
Justice Department and FTC host first meeting on pricing strike force
The Justice Department (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) virtually co-hosted the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing (Strike Force) to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.
-
UnitedHealth Group halts two acquisitions amid antitrust concerns
UnitedHealth Group has decided to abandon its proposed acquisitions of Stewardship Health Inc. and a related company after facing scrutiny from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter commented on the matter, emphasizing the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Americans.
-
Justice Department moves against NCAA transfer eligibility rules
Today, the Justice Department filed a proposed consent decree to prohibit the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from enforcing the Transfer Eligibility Rule and the Rule of Restitution in connection with it. The decree also aims to prevent the implementation of similar restrictions between Division I colleges and universities.
-
Aldi executive pleads guilty in construction bid-rigging scheme
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A former Aldi executive and a general contractor from Breese, Illinois, have admitted guilt to federal fraud offenses involving rigging the bid system for construction projects of grocery stores throughout southern Illinois and Missouri.
-
Sports equipment sales professional pleads guilty to bid rigging schemes
A former sales employee of a sports equipment manufacturer and distributor pleaded guilty today for his involvement in three separate conspiracies. These included two bid-rigging schemes violating the Sherman Act and one conspiracy to commit wire fraud, all targeting schools located in Mississippi and other locations. The conspiracies victimized at least 100 schools.
-
Justice Department announces task force on health care monopolies
The U.S. Justice Department has announced the establishment of the Antitrust Division’s Task Force on Health Care Monopolies and Collusion (HCMC). The HCMC is set to guide the division's enforcement strategy and policy approach in health care, including facilitating policy advocacy, investigations, and civil and criminal enforcement in health care markets when necessary.
-
Executive pleads guilty to conspiring in wildfire services bid rigging and territories allocation
"The former owner of contractor companies that provided fuel truck services to the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire fighters pleaded guilty today to conspiring to monopolize, rigging bids and allocating territories in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The plea follows a judicially authorized wiretap investigation that led to the indictment of two executives in December 2023.According to a plea agreement and superseding information filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, Ike Tomlinson, 60, conspired with co-defendant Kris Bird, 61,...