WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Justice today charged a Lubbock, Texas glass company with participating in a conspiracy to fix prices on automotive replacement glass sold by retail stores in Lubbock.

The information, filed in U.S. District Court in Lubbock, charges Crafton's Glass Inc. with conspiring with others to fix automotive replacement glass prices by increasing installation labor rates and lowering discounts on automotive replacement glass. Crafton's Glass participated in the conspiracy from at least as early as March 1998, until at least May of 1998.

Joel I. Klein, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division, said the charges resulted from an investigation by a grand jury in Dallas into suspected price fixing in the automotive replacement glass industry. The investigation, which is ongoing, is being conducted by the Antitrust Division's Dallas Field Office and the Dallas Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Crafton's Glass Inc. is engaged in the business of selling and installing automotive replacement glass.

The maximum penalty for a corporation convicted under the Sherman Act is a fine in an amount equal to the largest of: (a) $10,000,000; (b) twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the crime; or (c) twice the gross pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the crime.

98-394