The Taiwan-based EVA Airways Corp. is pleading guilty to being part of a price-fixing conspiracy and will pay a $13.2 million fine, the Department of Justice has announced, in a statement signaling that more charges are coming.
EVA is admitting its guilt to a single felony charges filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a DOJ statement said. The company is admitting being part of a conspiracy to fix cargo rates for international air shipments, including some to and from the United States, from 2003 to 2006.
The cargo that EVA transports includes sensitive equipment used to manufacture liquid crystal display panels and perishable commodities like cherries and pet food, the DOJ said, adding that EVA is cooperating with DOJ’s investigation.
The DOJ said its investigation into price-fixing in the air-transportation agency has led to charges against 22 airlines and 21 executives, resulting in more than $1.8 billion in fines and prison terms for four individuals. The DOJ’s Antitrust Division and the FBi are among the agencies taking part in the probe.
