Antitrust Lawyer Blog

On April 23, 2008, the former senior vice president of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (“BMS”), Andrew Bodnar, was indicted for his false statements to the federal government in its investigation into a patent settlement involving a blood-thinning drug used by patients of heart attack and stroke called Plavix. Mr. Bodnar agreed to plead guilty and pay…

On April 21, 2008, a federal grand jury in San Francisco, CA unsealed an indictment against a Canadian company, Newcon Optik Ltd. (“Newcon”), and two of its executives, Michael Beker (a.k.a. Mendel Beker) and Arie Prilik for their role in a scheme to defraud the U.S. military in Iraq. Mr. Beker, president and CEO, Mr.…

On April 18, 2008, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a comment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regarding an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (“NOPR”) that sought to provide consumers incentives to reduce power use. FERC proposed to provide consumers with incentives to reduce power use when electricity is scarce and expensive at…

On April 17, 2008, Charles J. Gillespie, a former executive of Italy based Manuli Rubbers Industries SpA, pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to rig bids, fix prices, and allocate market shares of marine hose in the United States. Mr. Gillespie also agreed to serve 12 months and one day in jail and pay…

On April 16, 2008, Japan Airlines International Co. Ltd. (“JAL”) agreed to plead guilty and pay a criminal fine of $110 million for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices for international cargo shipments. JAL was accused of attempting to fix rates on international cargo shipments to and from the United States between April…

On April 11, 2008, Aaron S. Weiner, of Aaron Weiner Construction Inc. (“AWC”), pled guilty for acting as a conduit for a million dollar kickback scheme to defraud the New York Presbyterian Hospital (“NYPH”). An owner of two construction companies located in New York paid Mr. Weiner to pose as a consultant as a means…

On April 9, 2008 Matthew W. Bittenbender, a U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) contractor pled guilty to conspiring to steal competitive information regarding the supply of fuel to DOD aircraft around the world. Aviation fuel is obtained by the DOD through the Defense Energy Support Center (“DESC”) which lets contracts for a variety of products.…

On April 1, 2008, the Montana Board of Realty Regulation repealed its rule disallowing real estate brokers to “solicit business by offering gifts, rebates, or promotional items.” In August 2007, the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division began an investigation of the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. In most states, real estate brokers are allowed to…

On March 31, 2008, William E. Kovacic assumed the role of Chairman at the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. Kovacic had served as a Commissioner since January 2006 before his nomination by President Bush and eventual confirmation by the Senate. Before joining the FTC, Mr. Kovacic was the E.K Gubin Professor of Government Contracts Law at…

On March 26, 2008, Peck & Hale, LLC, a Long Island, NY defense firm, pled guilty to a two-count felony charge for rigging bids for U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) military restraints equipment contracts. This equipment is used to tie down and secure vehicles, aircraft, munitions, shipping containers, and other specialized military cargo requirements for…