Second individual sentenced for rigging bids for federal government contracts

Former IT senior officer pleads guilty, commits to assisting with compliance efforts

OTTAWA, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - A former director of an Ottawa-based information technology company has committed to speaking out about her role in a conspiracy relating to the supply of information technology services to Library and Archives Canada.

Ms. Linda Graham, formerly of Microtime Inc., agreed to the condition as part of her guilty plea for bid-rigging. She was also sentenced to an 18-month conditional sentence, with the first six months to be served under house arrest. Ms. Graham was also fined $20,000 and ordered to perform 90 hours of community service.

It is the first time that someone convicted of an anti-competitive offence in Canada will personally contribute to the Competition Bureau's compliance promotion activities. As part of her plea agreement, Ms. Graham will participate in two public presentations alongside Competition Bureau staff to raise awareness about compliance with the Competition Act.

This is the second guilty plea related to this alleged bid-rigging scheme involving six individuals and one company, Microtime Inc. In 2015, Stephen Forgie, another former employee of Microtime Inc, pleaded guilty to bid-rigging.

Quick Facts

• The Bureau benefited from cooperation under the Bureau's Immunity Program which can provide immunity from prosecution under certain conditions, to the first party who discloses an offence or provides evidence leading to the filing of charges and offers ongoing and complete cooperation.
• The contracts, which were awarded between April and September 2009, are estimated to be worth a total of $3.5 million.
• Charges remain pending against one company and one individual under the Competition Act. Three individuals were also charged with offences under the Financial Administration Act for making opportunity for another person to defraud the government.
• Bid-rigging is a serious offence that hurts honest businesses, consumers and governments.
• Cracking down on cartels is a top enforcement priority for the Bureau and it will continue to vigorously pursue those who participate in cartel activities.

Quote

"Having cartel participants share their personal experience is an innovative way to promote compliance. I have no doubt that Ms. Graham's real, first-hand testimony about the realities of participating in a cartel scheme and then facing the criminal justice system will help deter others from engaging in similar illegal activities."

Matthew Boswell,
Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition, Competition Bureau

Related Information

• Immunity Program
• Leniency Program
• Videos on cartels and bid-rigging

Associated Links

• Criminal Charges Laid Against a Company and Six Individuals Involved in Bid-rigging Scheme
• Ontario individual sentenced after pleading guilty to bid-rigging

 

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SOURCE Competition Bureau

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