WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal grand jury in Atlanta indicted an Atlanta truck dealer today for participating in a conspiracy to rig bids for the purchase of used trucks sold at government auctions held in Georgia, the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division said.

The indictment against Clarence E. "Bud" Neville is the fourth criminal case filed in Atlanta as a result of the Antitrust Division's continuing investigation into collusive practices by used truck dealers at public auctions.

The indictment charged that the conspiracy began in June 1986 and continued through November 1989, with Neville joining the conspiracy in June 1989. Neville operated Atlanta Truck Parts in Atlanta, which sold new and used trucks and truck parts.

According to the indictment, Neville and the co-conspirators refrained from bidding against each other for the purchase of used trucks sold at auctions held on behalf of the following governments on the following dates:

• DeKalb County on June 14, 1986.

• City of Columbus on November 22, 1986.

• City of Atlanta on December 13, 1986.

• City of Atlanta on June 25, 1988.

• City of Atlanta on June 24, 1989.

• DeKalb County on October 14, 1989.

Anne K. Bingaman, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division, said the criminal charges arose in connection with a grand jury investigation in Atlanta into collusive practices by used truck dealers at public auctions. Bingaman said the investigation is being conducted by the Division's Atlanta Field Office with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of violating Section One of the Sherman Act is a period of incarceration of three years and the greatest of a fine of $250,000, twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the crime, or twice the gross pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the crime.

###

94-557