Washington v. Inland Northwest AGC
Inland AGC is a trade association composed of construction firms doing business in eastern Washington. The construction industry along with Inland AGC were upset regarding contract language (mandatory arbitration and/or apportionment of risk) used in public works contracts. The association initiated a group boycott urging association members not to bid on public works projects until the contract provisions were removed from the public works contracts. Complaint and consent decree were filed with injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees and costs.
Washington v. Okanogan Listing Exchange
The defendant operated a multiple listing service (?MLS?). The defendant established rules which fixed commissions rates for both listing and sales agents. Real Estate agents who failed to comply with the rules were prohibited from accessing the MLS service. Complaint and consent decree was filed in state court, enjoining future violations
Washington v. Herff Jones, et. al
The defendants were competitors selling yearbooks to schools throughout Washington. The defendants conspired to set prices and allocate the market for yearbooks in Washington. A complaint requesting injunctive relief and restitution was filed on behalf of Washington consumers. A Consent Decree was filed providing consumer restitution, injunctive relief and attorney fees.
Washington v. Darigold Inc./ Inland Northwest Corp.
Defendants contacted the Attorney General office regarding a proposed joint venture selling processed milk. A settlement was reached where the joint venture would distribute milk products to schools and to other distributors without conditions.
Washington v. Becton Dickinson Corp. (settlement 1989)
University Of Washington sought bids for medical equipment from a variety of vendors. Those vendors all submitted proposals which included Becton Dickinson medical equipment. The highest bidder complained to Becton that VWR and others had submitted a bid discounting Becton equipment. Becton then requested that VWR (lowest bidder) and the other vendor?s either withdraw or increase the bid for Becton equipment to suggested retail prices.
Settlement Agreement: Bank America
Bank America, the owner of Seattle First National Bank, the largest bank in Washington acquired Security Pacific the second largest bank in Washington. Settlement agreement required divesture of specific Security Pacific including branch offices, assets and loans
Washington v. Marquee Holdings, Inc., CV 05-2111 (W.D. Wash. 2005)
Plaintiff state reviewed merger of companies owning two large theater chains.
Natural Gas Antitrust Cases I-IV, JCCP No. 4221, et al. (Sup. Ct. of Cal., San Diego 2000)
California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington investigated El Paso Corporation and other defendants for conspiring to fix the prices of natural gas. In 2003, a $1.5 billion settlement was reached between El Paso Corporation and California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, other California entities, and various class actions.
In re Antibiotic Antitrust Actions, 410 F. Supp. 669, 1974 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9407 (D. Minn. 1974)
Plaintiff States sought damages and injunctive relief, alleging that Defendant companies conspired to monopolize and restrain the trade for the manufacture, sale and distribution of broad spectrum antibiotics (BSA).
In re NASDAQ Market-Makers Antitrust Investigation Litigation, 94 CIV 3996; M.D.L. No. 1023 (S.D.N.Y. 1997); 169 F.R.D. 493 (S.D.N.Y. 1996)
Although suit was never filed, the Plaintiff States informally participated in a federal private class action seeking treble damages, reimbursement of costs, attorneys fees and injunctive relief, alleging that the defendant financial investment companies conspired to increase and fix the ?spreads? paid for sales of class securities. The Plaintiff States? focus was to ensure that individual investors and public pension funds were fairly represented in the litigation and settlement.
