Companies That Disclose Antitrust Crimes Set to Lose Perks (1)

Corporations that disclose price-fixing and other federal antitrust violations are set to lose a significant benefit that’s helped shield them from excessive damages in private civil suits.

A nearly 16-year-old law, known as the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement & Reform Act (ACPERA), affords some protection from follow-on civil antitrust lawsuits for companies that are the first to self-report collusive conduct to the Justice Department and gain leniency in federal prosecutions.

However, the statute, which has benefited companies such as Samsung and ‘Chicken of the Sea’ tuna producer Thai Union Group, will expire June 22 unless Congress reauthorizes it. So far, ...