Case Description
Five gas station owner/operators pleaded guilty and no contest to charges that the engaged in a gasoline price-fixing operation in Madison Heights, Michigan. All five defendants and their associated stations have entered pleas in 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County to violations of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act (MARA). The stations involved in the price-fixing operation were all located within two miles of each other. The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that the five stations set their gasoline prices at an artificial level, within a penny or two of each other. The scheme, which violated Michigan antitrust law, was an attempt to increase profits from gasoline sales by eliminating competition in the Madison Heights area. The Attorney General’s office received a tip from another Madison Heights gas station owner who was pressured to participate in the price-fixing operation. Information obtained during the investigation showed the stations all set their prices within a penny or two of each other on at least five days: February 8, 2011, February 11, 2011, February 23, 2011, February 27, 2011, and March 3, 2011. Sentencing for some is pending, but all paid substantial fines.
