In case you forgot who the government works for
Posted on November 12th, 2008 by bile Tags: cell phones, Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd., criminal offence, Department of Justice, Elliot Spitzer, household electronics, Justice Department, LCD, liquid crystal display, Michael J. Garcia, New York, thin film transistor, United Stateshttp://www.broadcastingcable.com/…
LG (South Korean), Sharp (Japanese), and Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd. (Tiawanese) have admitted to fixing the prices of liquid crystal display TV screens, computer monitors and other thin-film transistor (TFT) LCD screens and will have to pay over a half billion dollars in fines.
That is according to the Justice Department, which Wednesday announced the three leading manufacturers of LCD displays would have to pony up $585 million, $400 million coming from LG, which Justice says is the second highest criminal fine the department has ever imposed. Chunghwa will have to pay $65 million and Sharp $120 million.
Calling it an international cartel, Justice said that LG agreed to plead guilty to participating in the cartel from September 2001 through June 2006. The plea agreements are subject to court approval, Justice said.
Justice said the price fixing affected “millions of American consumers who use computers, cell phones and numerous other household electronics every day.”
Assume we agree that price fixing is a criminal offence, which I don’t, if the government role is to protect us and they brought this case on our behalf… why are they getting the $585 million?
Former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer will not face charges after rumors that he spent thousands of dollars on high priced prostitutes forced him out of office 8 months ago.
Michael J. Garcia, the United States Attorney in Manhattan, issued a statement about Spitzer on Thursday, saying that “We have determined that there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against Mr. Spitzer”. “In light of the policy of the Department of Justice with respect to prostitution offenses and the longstanding practice of this office, as well as Mr. Spitzer’s acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter.”
So… if I get arrested for a victimless crime, like being a John, I get fined or jail time. But if I’m a politician with some connections I get off without even a trial.
