Related Federal Cases
Hitachi Chemical Pleads Guilty to Fixing Capacitor Prices
Tokyo-based Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd. has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with competitors to fix prices for electrolytic capacitors, a fundamental component of widely used electronic products, between 2002 and 2010.
According to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder, Hitachi Chemical subsidiaries and co-conspirators fixed the prices of capacitors, which are used in computers, televisions, car engine and airbag systems, home appliances and office equipment.
This is the second guilty plea in this investigation, and the Antitrust Division will continue to pursue companies and individuals that conspire to undermine competition for technology components of all shapes and sizes.
“We will not tolerate the behavior of companies or individuals who attempt to profit unfairly from business practices that ultimately hurt our economy and the consumer,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bertram Fairries of the FBI’s San Francisco Division.
Hitachi Chemical has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation and will pay a criminal fine. The plea agreement is subject to court approval.
NEC TOKIN Corp. pleaded guilty to participating in the same worldwide conspiracy from 2002 to 2013 and was sentenced to pay a fine of $13.8 million. A grand jury also indicted Takuro Isawa, a former Global Sales General Manager for one of the capacitor manufacturers, for his participation in the conspiracy.
Anyone with information related to the focus of this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258, visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html or call the FBI tip line at 415-553-7400.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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