Seven high-ranking executives from Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. have been indicted for their alleged role in a conspiracy to fix the prices of automotive parts in the United States and elsewhere.
A three-count indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan charging Atsushi Ueda, Minoru Kurisaki, and Hideyuki Saito with conspiring to fix the prices of starter motors, alternators, and ignition coils sold to major automobile manufacturers. Kurisaki and Saito are also charged with knowingly conspiring to obstruct justice by destroying documents and corruptly persuading others to do the same. Saito is further charged with knowingly and corruptly persuading executives to destroy documents and delete electronic data that may contain evidence of antitrust crimes.
Ueda, who served as President of Mitsubishi Electric Corp.’s Automotive Equipment Group, is no longer employed by the company. Saito, who currently serves as a high-level manager within the group, continues to work at MELCO. Kurisaki, the former General Manager of the group, is also no longer employed by the company.
The indictment alleges that the executives participated directly in the conspiratorial conduct, directing, authorizing, and consenting to their subordinates’ participation. The conspiracy is said to have existed from at least as early as January 2000 and continued until about February 2010. The executives allegedly participated in meetings with co-conspirators and reached collusive agreements to rig bids, allocate the supply, and fix the prices of certain automotive parts sold to automobile manufacturers.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp. pleaded guilty on November 6, 2013, for its involvement in this conspiracy and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $190 million. Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. also pleaded guilty on the same date and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $195 million.
Defendant: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. Executives
Crime: Three-count indictment for conspiring to fix prices of automotive parts and obstructing justice
City and State: Detroit, Michigan
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Ongoing investigation and indictment
Dollar Amounts: Mitsubishi Electric Corp. fined $190 million, Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd. fined $195 million
Related Federal Cases
- NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd, Price Fixing and Bid Rigging, Michigan 2024 · Michigan
- Gikou Nakajima, Seatbelt Price Fixing, Michigan 2009 · New Hampshire
- NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., Price Fixing, Michigan 2000 · New Hampshire
- Takeshi Uchiyamada, Price Fixing, Michigan 2023 · Florida
- Corning International K.K., Price Fixing, Michigan 1999 · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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