Case Details

Year Initiated/Committed

1999

Year Resolved

1999

Lead State

WI

Participating States

Defendant(s)

Morris Lear, Bruce Getten

Offenses

misdemeanor, agreement to injure the business of another

Sentence Imposed

one year probation, 400 hours community service, barred from contracts

Case Description

The defendants operated businesses that conducted inspections of flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks. The tank inspections were required under federal law. The complaint alleged that in anticipation of submitting bids for new contracts, the defendants agreed not to compete for business in each other’s territories in order to avoid a bidding war. Morris K. Lear pleaded guilty to misdemeanor count of an agreement to injure the business of another , received one year probation and 400 hours of community service. Lear agreed to refrain from bidding on any future petroleum tank inspection contracts with the State of Wisconsin