Auto Parts Cartel Final Tally: 13 Guilty Pleas and $86 Million in Fines
Canada’s Competition Bureau ended its investigation into criminal big-rigging in the auto parts sector with a guilty plea from Japanese auto parts manufacturer INOAC. INOAC pleaded guilty under the Criminal Code to one count of conspiracy to engage in bid-rigging and was ordered to pay fines and surcharges of $1.3 million. With its competitors, INOAC conspired to allocate bids issued by Toyota in 2004 for the supply of plastic interior car parts used in Toyota Corollas manufactured and sold in Canada. The Bureau began its investigation in 2009 after it learned of illegal activity in the auto parts industry through its Immunity Program, which ... [more] Full article
Putting the “car” in “cartel”
Class actions have been filed in Ontario against German carmakers alleging that they coordinated the design and pricing of components in their cars. Kirk Baert, a partner at Koskie Minsky, ... [more] Full article
Mitsubishi Electric Auto Parts Fine Brings Total to $84M
Japanese auto parts manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric has been fined $13.4 million after pleading guilty to participating in illegal agreements with industry competitors to determine who would win certain calls for bids issued ... [more] Full article
No Work No Pay – Fee Sharing Agreements Are Subject to Court’s Review
Class counsel are not permitted to pay off their rival firm using proceeds from the settlement funds in order to avoid competing actions, the Ontario Court of Appeal recently held. This type of payment arrangement ... [more] Full article
Conspiracy Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
