Second “K” Line executive sent to jail in ro-ro price fixing probe

Government says investigation is continuing.

   The U.S. Department of Justice said a former executive of “K” Line pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to 14 months in a U.S. prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to fix prices, allocate customers and rig bids of international ocean shipping services for roll-on/roll-off cargo, such as cars and trucks, to and from the United States and elsewhere.
   According to the one-count felony charge filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore on Dec. 29, 2014, Takashi Yamaguchi, who was a general manager and executive officer of “K” Line’s car carrier division, participated in the conspiracy from at least as early as July 2006 until at least April 2010.
   His sentencing come a week after another “K” Line executive, Hiroshige Tanioka, was sentenced in the ro-ro probe.
   Previously, three corporations have agreed to plead guilty in charges
growing out of the investigation and to pay criminal fines totaling more
than $136 million: “K” Line, $67.7 million; NYK, $59.4 million; and
CSAV, $8.9 million.
   “Today’s sentencing is another step in our efforts to hold executives accountable for raising the cost of shipping cars, trucks and other equipment to and from the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Bill Baer.  “We will continue to pursue the corporations and executives whose illegal agreements have harmed American consumers.”