Leniency Program

The Antitrust Division's Leniency Program is its most important investigative tool for detecting cartel activity. Corporations and individuals who report their cartel activity and cooperate in the Division's investigation of the cartel reported can avoid criminal conviction, fines, and prison sentences if they meet the requirements of the program.

FAQs

November 19, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Antitrust Division's Leniency Program and Model Leniency Letters

Leniency Policies

August 10, 1993

Corporate Leniency Policy

August 10, 1994

Individual Leniency Policy

Model Leniency Letters

November 19, 2008

Model Corporate Conditional Leniency Letter

November 19, 2008

Model Individual Conditional Leniency Letter

November 19, 2008

Model Dual Investigations Leniency Letter used when the corporate leniency applicant is a subject, target, or defendant in another Antitrust Division investigation

November 19, 2008

Model Dual Investigations Acknowledgement Letter for Employees

Leniency Applications

For details on making a leniency application, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

To make an application, contact the Division's Office of Criminal Enforcement (202-514-3543) or one of the following Division's criminal sections:

Atlanta Field Office (404-331-7120)

Chicago Field Office (312-353-7523)

Cleveland Field Office (216-687-8400)

Dallas Field Office (214-661-8619 or 214-661-8610)

National Criminal Enforcement Section (202-307-1166)

New York Field Office (212-264-0390)

Philadelphia Field Office (215-597-7405)

San Francisco Field Office (415-436-6677)

Leniency Policy Speeches

February 25, 2010

"The Evolution of Criminal Antitrust Enforcement Over the Last Two Decades"

March 5, 2009

"Recent Developments Relating to the Antitrust Division's Corporate Leniency Program"

May 1, 2008

Scott Hammond on Stolt-Nielsen

October 18, 2005

Cracking Cartels with Leniency Programs

November 22, 2004

Cornerstones of an Effective Leniency Program

August 12, 2003

The Modern Leniency Program After Ten Years - A Summary Overview of the Antitrust Division's Criminal Enforcement Program

March 8, 2001

When Calculating the Costs and Benefits of Applying for Corporate Amnesty, How Do You Put a Price Tag on an Individual's Freedom?

November 21, 2000

Detecting and Deterring Cartel Activity Through an Effective Leniency Program

September 12, 2000

Fighting Cartels - Why and How?: Lessons Common to Detecting and Deterring Cartel Activity

February 16, 1999

Making Companies an Offer They Shouldn't Refuse: The Antitrust Division's Corporate Leniency Policy — An Update

April 1, 1998

The Corporate Leniency Policy: Answers to Some Recurring Questions