National

8-Year Probe Into Alleged Chocolate Price-Fixing Ends After Charges Stayed

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2015 11:06 AM

OTTAWA — An eight-year investigation into allegations of price fixing in the chocolate candy business has concluded after charges against Nestle Canada and a former executive were stayed.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada entered a stay of proceedings Tuesday against the company and former president Robert Leonidas, who were accused of conspiring to fix chocolate prices between 2002 and 2008.

No reason was give for the Crown's decision.

Two months ago, prosecutors also abandoned charges against Mars Canada, former Nestle Canada executive Sandra Martinez, distributor ITWAL Ltd. and its former CEO, David Glenn Stevens.

Hershey Canada, the only company convicted in the case, pleaded guilty in June 2013 to price-fixing and was fined $4 million.

Hershey had co-operated in the Competition Bureau's investigation and the regulator recommended the company receive lenient treatment in return.

The charges stem from an investigation launched in July 2007 after the bureau was contacted by Cadbury Adams Canada Inc. under the bureau's immunity program.

The bureau says it now considers the investigation closed.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Photo Project With The New Yorker Magazine Features Residential School Survivors

International photojournalist Daniella Zalcman has partnered with The New Yorker magazine to show her project on Canada's residential school survivors.

Photo Project With The New Yorker Magazine Features Residential School Survivors

Manitoba Government Adds Support Money For Syrian Refugees

Premier Greg Selinger says an extra $40,000 is being given to settlement service providers in the province, so that they can accommodate hundreds more refugees in the coming months.

Manitoba Government Adds Support Money For Syrian Refugees

First Byelection Since NDP Victory In Alberta Goes To Wildrose Party

Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, a former Conservative MP under Harper, told party supporters to take a short breather before getting back to the campaign grind.

First Byelection Since NDP Victory In Alberta Goes To Wildrose Party

Conservative Yukon Election Candidate Makes Late-night Arrest Of Sign Vandal

WHITEHORSE — A Conservative federal election candidate in Yukon donned in camouflage gear emerged from the bush on a dark, rainy night to catch someone vandalizing his campaign signs.

Conservative Yukon Election Candidate Makes Late-night Arrest Of Sign Vandal

Judge Reserves Decision On Challenge Of Montana's Execution Methods

CALGARY — A judge has reserved his decision on a constitutional challenge of Montana's execution methods that is likely to impact a Canadian on death row there.

Judge Reserves Decision On Challenge Of Montana's Execution Methods

No 300,000 Fine For NHL Owner Who Damaged B.c. Fish Habitat: B.c. Supreme Court

Tom Gaglardi and his company, Northland Properties, were convicted in provincial court in August 2014 on two counts each of harmful alteration of a fish habitat.