Price-Fixing

Price-fixing charges surface when the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice believes competitors in a specific industry have agreed to fix, maintain, or raise the price at which they do business.

Price-Fixing Violations

Price-fixing schemes are per se violations of the Sherman Act, in that where such a collusive scheme exists, it cannot be excused through arguments or evidence that the agreed-upon prices were fair or that the agreement was necessary to eliminate price-cutting or other disastrous competition. However, because not every competitor in a particular industry need join an alleged conspiracy, it is inevitable that some companies will be unjustly charged with price-fixing. Legitimate vigorous competition within normal economic conditions can often give the appearance of price-fixing.

Prosecutions & Penalties for Price-Fixing

Additionally, not even similarity of prices, simultaneous price changes, or high prices are always indications of price-fixing, and as competitors do not need to charge exactly the same price for allegations of price-fixing to arise, it is also unavoidable that certain organizations will face false price-fixing accusations.

But if these allegations, which may be established by circumstantial evidence, are allowed to proceed unheeded to conviction, price-fixing charges can result in jail sentences and fines totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. This is why it is essential to obtain legal counsel with price-fixing defense expertise as soon as possible.

We Can Help

Are you facing accusations of price-fixing and now have to worry about surviving a federal investigation? Contact one of The Blanch Law Firm's price-fixing attorneys by calling (917) 472-9883 or toll-free (866) 690-9316. This is the last move you will have to make in your own defense.