Apresentação
Este é um informativo diário que traz para o(a) leitor (a) notícias e casos de defesa da concorrência das principais jurisdições antitruste do mundo (CADE, FTC, Comissão Europeia, CMA etc).
Notícias
Cade condena, por maioria, participante no cartel de sal
Investigado teve protagonismo na criação e desdobramentos das atividades no cartel de sal marinho
Publicado em 14/08/2024 17h51 Atualizado em 15/08/2024 17h35
Na sessão de julgamento desta quarta-feira (14/8), o Tribunal do Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (Cade) condenou pessoa física representada ao pagamento de multa de aproximadamente R$ 54 mil, por participação em cartel.
O processo administrativo é oriundo de desmembramento de um processo originário nº 08012.005882/2008-38, no qual foi apurado o cartel de sal. O processo originário foi julgado em maio de 2018, com a condenação de várias empresas, associações e pessoas físicas envolvidas.
De acordo com as investigações, o Representado foi parte do Processo Originário desde o início das investigações em 2008, mas o desmembramento que culminou no Processo Administrativo analisado pelo Tribunal do Cade foi necessário tendo em vista a alegada incapacidade civil do Representado suscitada nos autos do Processo Originário.
O representado foi secretário da Associação Brasileira dos Extratores e Refinadores de Sal (Abersal) de 1974 a 2016, entidade investigada e condenada pela participação no cartel do sal no processo originário.
As investigações mostraram que o representado teve grande participação no conluio. Conforme exposto pelo conselheiro Carlos Jacques, foi verificada a existência de robusto material probatório que deixou evidente o protagonismo do ex-secretário da Abersal no conluio. Os documentos provam que o representado não somente participava ativamente do conluio, como teve um papel central na organização e implementação. Verificou-se também que o representado participou de reuniões de caráter anticompetitivo e em uma delas chegou a ler a proposta de preços a serem fixados no âmbito do cartel.
Nesse sentido, a maioria do Tribunal do Cade acompanhou o voto-vista do conselheiro pela condenação do representado e pagamento de multa de aproximadamente R$ 54 mil.
Acesse o Processo Administrativo nº 08700.001805/2017-41.
Company Sentenced to Pay $6.5M Criminal Fine for Bid Rigging in Michigan Asphalt Industry
Thursday, August 15, 2024Share
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
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.
Pontiac-based Asphalt Specialists LLC pleaded guilty for its conduct on Jan. 30. According to court documents and proceedings, the company participated in a conspiracy with Al’s Asphalt Paving Company Inc. (Al’s Asphalt) and its employees from March 2013 through November 2018. The company also participated in a separate conspiracy with F. Allied Construction Company Inc. (Allied) and its employees from July 2017 through May 2021.
Each conspiracy operated in much the same way: the co-conspirators coordinated each other’s bid prices so that the agreed-upon losing company would submit intentionally non-competitive bids. These bids gave customers the false impression of competition when, in fact, the co-conspirators had already decided among themselves who would win the contracts.
“When companies choose to cheat rather than compete, they can expect to pay substantial, punitive criminal fines,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Manish Kumar of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will not hesitate in our shared mission to ensure those who violate the antitrust laws do not benefit from their crimes, particularly when those crimes affect critical infrastructure for our country.”
“The sentence imposed today should serve as a significant deterrent for anyone who chooses corporate greed over open and fair competition for transportation projects,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Licari Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Midwestern Region. “Our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division is unwavering as we continue to pursue and uncover corrupt conduct and hold companies that intentionally engage in wrongdoing accountable.”
“Asphalt Specialist LLC’s sentence reflects the seriousness of conduct that undermines the competitive process,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General. “This sentencing represents a win for the USPS and for all law enforcement agencies who work together to protect the competitive process and to ensure that justice is served.”
Asphalt Specialists LLC is one of three companies that have been charged as part of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct in the asphalt paving services industry. Al’s Asphalt pleaded guilty and was sentenced to pay a fine of $795,661.81 on July 31. Allied also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Six individuals also have been charged as part of the investigation.
DOT-OIG and USPS OIG investigated the case.
The Antitrust Division’s Chicago Office is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.
Updated August 15, 2024
FTC, State of Arizona Take Action Against Coulter Motor Company for Deceptive Pricing and Discriminatory Practices
FTC and Arizona AG charged dealership and key employee with using bogus online pricing to entice consumers, tacking on thousands in junk fees, and charging Latino consumers extra
Tags:
- Consumer Protection
- Bureau of Consumer Protection
- Cars
- deceptive/misleading conduct
- Automobiles
- Advertising and Marketing
- Credit and Finance
- Credit and Loans
The Federal Trade Commission and State of Arizona are taking action against Arizona-based Coulter Motor Company for engaging in a wide array of practices that harm consumers, from deceptive online vehicle pricing to charging Latino car buyers more in interest and add-on products. Coulter, along with its former general manager, Gregory Depaola, will pay $2.6 million to settle the lawsuit, most of which will go to provide refunds to consumers harmed by defendants’ allegedly unlawful actions.
In the complaint announced today, the FTC and State of Arizona allege that Coulter, which operates Coulter Cadillac Tempe and Tempe Buick GMC, along with Depaola, regularly charged consumers for unwanted add-ons that consumers never agreed to pay and other bogus fees. A survey of consumers who purchased or leased cars from Coulter found that 92 percent of the consumers surveyed were charged for at least one add-on without their authorization, or that they thought was required.
“Coulter used junk fees and other illegal tactics to drive up prices for consumers, especially Latino consumers,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC will continue cracking down on practices that drive up prices, cheat consumers, and undercut honest sellers.”
According to the complaint, Coulter advertised prices for cars online at significant discounts under the cars’ suggested retail prices, in many cases thousands of dollars less, leading consumers to think they could purchase the advertised car for that advertised amount. Consumers complained that when they arrived at the dealership, they were told the advertised price was not available. Instead, the dealership added hundreds or thousands of dollars more than the advertised price in a so-called “market adjustment,” supposed add-ons that were pre-installed on the car, and other miscellaneous fees.
The add-ons included items like vehicle identification number etching, window tinting, nitrogen-filled tires, and theft recovery services – items that Coulter would deceptively tell consumers were required to purchase the car. The complaint alleges that in some cases, Coulter charged consumers twice for the same add-ons, once individually and again as part of an add-on “package.”
The complaint also alleges that Coulter discriminated against Latino consumers in vehicle transactions. On average, Latino consumers who shop at Coulter pay nearly $1,200 more in interest and add-on charges than their non-Latino White counterparts. These increased costs come in the form of higher interest rate markups on financing, as well as higher charges for various add-on products.
The complaint charges Coulter and Depaola for violations of the FTC Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Under the terms of the proposed federal court order with the FTC and the State of Arizona, Coulter and Depaola are required to pay a $2.6 million judgment, of which $2.35 million will be used to provide refunds to consumers harmed by their allegedly unlawful actions. The proposed settlement also requires Coulter to establish a comprehensive fair lending program that includes appointing a fair lending officer, conducting employee training, and implementing policies for charging fees and markups.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 5-0. The complaint and stipulated final order were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Chair Lina M. Kahn, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya issued a majority statement. Commissioner Melissa Holyoak issued a statement. Commissioner Andrew Ferguson issued a statement.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
The staff attorneys on this matter are Sanya Shahrasbi and Brian Berggren of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.
Contact Information
Contact for Consumers
FTC Consumer Response Center
Media Contact
Office of Public Affairs
Related Cases
La CNDC expuso en la Conferencia Internacional sobre Libre Competencia
La conferencia formó parte de un evento dedicado a políticas de competencia y transformación digital que contó con la participación de expertos en antitrust y representantes de autoridades de competencia de la región
15 de agosto de 2024
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El 12 de agosto se realizó la Conferencia Internacional sobre Libre Competencia, un espacio de intercambio entre autoridades de competencia, académicos y abogados practicantes, que inauguró un evento de tres días sobre Políticas de Competencia y Transformación Digital, organizado por la Iniciativa Marshall sobre Competencia Digital de la Universidad del Sur de California, el Centro Competencia (CeCo) de la Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI), el Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial de la Universidad de Chile y el Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Ingeniería.
La conferencia sobre libre competencia, que se llevó a cabo en la sede de la UAI en Santiago de Chile, estuvo organizada en cinco paneles dedicados a distintos temas: acuerdos pro-competitivos entre competidores, desafíos del enforcement público y privado en casos de abusos de posición dominante, objetivos del control de fusiones, ventajas y desventajas de la regulación ex ante y la regulación ex post ante el avance de los mercados digitales y desafíos institucionales de la economía digital.
Alexis Pirchio, Presidente de la Comisión Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia (CNDC), realizó una presentación en el último panel ―en el que participó junto a representantes de las autoridades de competencia de Brasil, México, Colombia, Chile y Perú― acerca de la conformación del Grupo de Investigación y Trabajo sobre Mercados Digitales en la CNDC, y sobre los desafíos que implica la gestión documental de archivos electrónicos y la seguridad de la información que procesan las autoridades de competencia. La vocal de la CNDC, Paula Molina, también participó del evento.
Las jornadas del 13 y 14 de agosto estuvieron dedicadas al debate acerca de la transformación digital en economía y ciencias de la gestión, y se llevaron a cabo en el Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial de la Universidad de Chile.
Atos de concentração – Decisões
CADE
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.004532/2024-16
Requerentes: Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição e Dablio – EMP Holding Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005258/2024-01
Requerentes: SLC Agrícola S.A. e Grupo Rezek Participações S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005384/2024-57
Requerentes: Projeto Imobiliário DI 18 Ltda e SP Eusébio Matoso Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005614/2024-88
Requerentes: Lagoinha Energia SPE I Ltda., Lagoinha Energia SPE II Ltda., Lagoinha Energia SPE III Ltda., Lagoinha Energia SPE IV Ltda., Hospitais Integrados da Gávea S.A. – Clínica São Vicente, Hospital Esperança S.A., Hospital Fluminense S.A., Hospital Norte D’Or de Cascadura S.A., Medise Medicina Diagnósticos e Serviços S.A., Onco Star SP Oncologia Ltda. e Rede D’Or São Luiz S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005528/2024-75
Requerentes: SLA WW Holdco LLC e WeWork Serviços de Escritório Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005257/2024-58
Requerentes: CNP Capitalização S.A., CNP Consórcio S.A. Administradora de Consórcios e BRB Banco de Brasília S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005530/2024-44
Requerentes: AIPCF VIII (Cayman) Ltd. e Intersystems Holding Inc. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005417/2024-69
Requerentes: Telefônica Cloud e Tecnologia do Brasil S.A., IPNET Serviços em Nuvem e Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda. e IPNET USA LLC. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005377/2024-55
Requerentes: Plano Aracati Empreendimentos Imobiliários Ltda., Aoun Administração e Participações S.A. Helou Administração e Participações S.A., e Rached Administração e Participações S.A. Aprovação sem restrições.
Ato de Concentração nº 08700.005661/2024-21
Requerentes: TE Connectivity Brasil Indústria de Eletrônicos Ltda., Brycon Participações Ltda. e Sense Eletrônica Ltda. Aprovação sem restrições.
Atos de concentração – Ingressos
CADE
Ato de concentração nº 08700.005783/2024-18
Requerentes: Vitol B.V.; Noble Resources Trading Limited
Operação: A presente operação consiste na aquisição indireta, pela Vitol B.V., de 100% das ações da Noble Resources Trading Limited.
Edital: 15/08/2024