Aftermarket Auto Light Distributor Ordered to Pay $43 Million Criminal Fine

An aftermarket auto lights distributor pleaded guilty Nov. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and was sentenced the same day to pay a $43 million fine for participating in a price-fixing conspiracy (United States v. Maxzone Vehicle Lighting Corp.).

The company, Maxzone Vehicle Lighting Corp., pleaded guilty before Judge Richard Seeborg to one count of violating Sherman Act §1.

Prosecutors said Maxzone conspired with unnamed co-conspirators to fix the prices of aftermarket auto lights. Aftermarket auto lights are used in vehicles, often as repairs after a collision or as ...