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

B.C. Bus Company At Centre Of Serious Highway Crash To Be Audited By Province

Police say that shortly before 10 a.m. on Saturday a tour bus rammed into a car and a tow truck parked on the shoulder of the Coquihalla Highway. The collision left 38 people injured, including two who were airlifted to hospital in serious condition.

B.C. Bus Company At Centre Of Serious Highway Crash To Be Audited By Province

Missing Ontario Hikers Turn Up Alive After A Week In B.C. Backcountry

Lynne Carmody, 61, and Rick Moynan, 59, of North Bay, Ont., turned up virtually unharmed on Sunday around 4 p.m., just hours before crews were going to call off the search for them.

Missing Ontario Hikers Turn Up Alive After A Week In B.C. Backcountry

Outbreak Of Salmonella Infections Linked To Frozen Raw Breaded Chicken Products

OTTAWA — The Public Health Agency of Canada says an outbreak of salmonella infections in four provinces has been linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products.

Outbreak Of Salmonella Infections Linked To Frozen Raw Breaded Chicken Products

Charges Pending In Serious Coquihalla Highway Bus Crash Could Take Weeks: Police

MERRITT, B.C. — Police say it could be weeks before charges are laid in connection with a serious collision involving a tour bus and a tow truck on a British Columbia highway.

Charges Pending In Serious Coquihalla Highway Bus Crash Could Take Weeks: Police

What If? The Possible Implications Of Yay Or Nay For Metro Vancouver Transit Tax

VANCOUVER — Residents of Metro Vancouver were handed an unprecedented opportunity to vote for new and improved regional transportation in a transit-tax plebiscite that both sides are confident of winning.

What If? The Possible Implications Of Yay Or Nay For Metro Vancouver Transit Tax

Topless Crusader Linda Meyer Surprised To Hear Eight-Year-Old Girl Told To Cover Up At Pool

"If I'm in the hot tub, I'm not picking up any men. The sky isn't falling. We're all not going to be vaporized because my nipple is exposed," she says.