Martin George and 3 other BA Execs are potentially in BIG trouble
May 30, 2007, 7:21 am
#1
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Martin George and 3 other BA Execs are potentially in BIG trouble
I've seen no comment about this article that appeared in the Times a couple of days ago. You've heard of the Natwest Three, now we have the BA Four.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1845234.ece
The tariffs for this crime in the US are ridiculous. They better hope the OFT prosecutes them, otherwise the DOJ certainly will.
More links:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai.../20/cnba20.xml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle1848345.ece
The last one is interesting to this case. If it is clear that if price fixing has occurred, both BA and Virgin are guilty. Logic determines that - prices can only have been "fixed" if both parties "fixed" them at around the same time. But because of the immoral "plea bargaining" situation in America, Virgin have been able to claim immunity by helping the prosecution of BA. But they are as guilty as BA! Furthermore their evidence will be tainted by a massive conflict of interest - namely that they are BA's main competitor. And not one of the BA executives will be able to see the evidence against them, never mind be able to defend themselves against it, before extradition because the US won't even have to provide it!
It really is time to rip up this probably illegal and certainly disgracefully immoral and unethical treaty with the US.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1845234.ece
AMERICAN government prosecutors are preparing for the extradition of four current or former British Airways executives accused of involvement in a price-fixing scandal.
It had previously been thought that only two BA executives were involved in the inquiry. Martin George, BA’s commercial director, and Iain Burns, its head of communications, were both given leave of absence when BA revealed the existence of the inquiry last June. They resigned last autumn.
It has now emerged that two other BA executives, who still work at the airline, are being investigated. American legal sources said one was a senior executive in the marketing department, the other a rising star on the commercial side.
It has now emerged that two other BA executives, who still work at the airline, are being investigated. American legal sources said one was a senior executive in the marketing department, the other a rising star on the commercial side.
The maximum sentence for price-rigging in America is life imprisonment.
The tariffs for this crime in the US are ridiculous. They better hope the OFT prosecutes them, otherwise the DOJ certainly will.
More links:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai.../20/cnba20.xml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle1848345.ece
The last one is interesting to this case. If it is clear that if price fixing has occurred, both BA and Virgin are guilty. Logic determines that - prices can only have been "fixed" if both parties "fixed" them at around the same time. But because of the immoral "plea bargaining" situation in America, Virgin have been able to claim immunity by helping the prosecution of BA. But they are as guilty as BA! Furthermore their evidence will be tainted by a massive conflict of interest - namely that they are BA's main competitor. And not one of the BA executives will be able to see the evidence against them, never mind be able to defend themselves against it, before extradition because the US won't even have to provide it!
It really is time to rip up this probably illegal and certainly disgracefully immoral and unethical treaty with the US.
Last edited by PhilH; Aug 8, 2008 at 3:02 am
May 30, 2007, 7:29 am
#3
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Reminds of the classic Spitting Image sketch where Ronnie was leaving the UK and waving goodbye to Thatcher. His parting line was "Damn fine woman. Shame I'm only screwing her country.".
Not much has changed really...
BAH
May 30, 2007, 8:14 am
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Totally agree - and can we say 'one sided' too please.
Reminds of the classic Spitting Image sketch where Ronnie was leaving the UK and waving goodbye to Thatcher. His parting line was "Damn fine woman. Shame I'm only screwing her country.".
Not much has changed really...
BAH
Reminds of the classic Spitting Image sketch where Ronnie was leaving the UK and waving goodbye to Thatcher. His parting line was "Damn fine woman. Shame I'm only screwing her country.".
Not much has changed really...
BAH
^
May 30, 2007, 8:34 am
#6
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Before we get on our high moral horse about how we do things so much better here, virtually identical rules about immunity exist in UK competition law (or EU competition law, for that matter).
May 30, 2007, 8:43 am
#7
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May 30, 2007, 8:56 am
#8
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I can't imagine anyone thinks that Virgin comes out of this affair covered in glory.
May 30, 2007, 9:05 am
#9
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White collar crime clearly does harm people. But life imprisonment for price fixing? As the Americans would say, give me a break!
May 30, 2007, 9:54 am
#11
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Also, ^ to the poster who noted that the EU and UK competition laws are very similar to those of the United States. My parent company recently paid a US$400m fine to the EU for price-fixing done by nine employees in one of our sister companies. For better or worse, competition laws are taken very seriously by governments on both sides of the Atlantic and penalties (both criminal and financial) are severe.
May 30, 2007, 9:59 am
#12
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The one-sided extradition process is a joke though. Or would be if it wasn't so blatantly unfair and such a serious matter.
BAH
May 30, 2007, 10:03 am
#13
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None other than the Vicar, soon to be replaced by the Treasurer of St. Albions. As we know, he'd do almost anything to please the Rev Dubbya (of the Church of the Latter Day Morons).
May 30, 2007, 12:34 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by BAHumbug
That's quite true.
The one-sided extradition process is a joke though. Or would be if it wasn't so blatantly unfair and such a serious matter.
BAH
The one-sided extradition process is a joke though. Or would be if it wasn't so blatantly unfair and such a serious matter.
BAH
May 30, 2007, 12:43 pm
#15
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Kidnapping from a supposedy friendly country shows a government for what it really is.
BAH