Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: Gasoline retailer found guilty of participating in Quebec price fixing conspiracy, (Aug 12, 2013)
Organizations Mentioned:Les Petroles Global Inc.
Canada gasoline retailer Les Petroles Global, Inc. has been found guilty of engaging in a gasoline price fixing conspiracy following a ten-day trial before the Quebec Superior Court in Sherbrooke in May, the Canada Competition Bureau has announced.
Les Petroles Global was first accused of participating in a conspiracy to fix the price of gasoline in Victoriaville, Sherbrooke, and Magog, Quebec, in June 2008. The company will be sentenced at a later date. Individuals associated with the company pled guilty to charges related to the conspiracy in September and October 2008, and in March 2009.
"This is another guilty verdict in this investigation and it sends a clear message that price-fixing activities will not be tolerated in Canada," said John Pecman, Commissioner of Competition. "Price-fixing and other types of anti-competitive conduct cheat Canadians out of their hard-earned money."
The Competition Bureau has so far charged thirty-nine individuals and fifteen companies with criminal price-fixing in its investigation into gasoline price fixing in Quebec. Thirty-one individuals and seven companies have pled or were found guilty of charges connected to the price fixing, and have received fines totaling over $3 million. Six individuals have received prison sentences totaling 54 months.
Further information regarding the Competition Bureau’s investigation can be found here.
Companies: Les Petroles Global Inc.
News: Antitrust