A Nevada home health agency executive was found guilty by a federal jury for wage-fixing and failing to disclose a criminal investigation during a company sale. Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez from Las Vegas was involved in a conspiracy to cap wages for home healthcare nurses in the area from March 2016 to May 2019, according to court documents and evidence.
The scheme affected hundreds of nurses, both registered and licensed practical, who provided at-home patient care. During the investigation, Lopez sold his company for more than $10 million while hiding the criminal probe from the buyer.
“Wage-fixing agreements are nakedly unlawful attempts at unjustly profiting off American workers,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail A. Slater of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. “Today’s verdict highlights what should be a clear message with antitrust crimes: the agreement is the crime. The Antitrust Division will zealously prosecute those who seek to unjustly profit off their employees. The nurses here deserved better and, under President Trump’s leadership, they will be protected.”
Lopez was convicted of one count of participating in a wage-fixing conspiracy and five counts of wire fraud. His sentencing is set for July 14. The Sherman Act violation could lead to a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine, while wire fraud carries up to 20 years in prison. A federal judge will determine Lopez's sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office and the FBI’s International Corruption Unit, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, conducted the investigation. Prosecutors include Senior Litigation Counsel Jeffrey Cramer, Mikal Condon, Assistant Chief Andrew Mast, Trial Attorneys Paradi Javandel and Conor Bradley, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez.
Individuals with information regarding the case are urged to contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
