Ex-MLSE boss Tim Leiweke indicted in U.S. arena bid-rigging scheme
Leiweke, the co-founder of sports and real estate company Oak View Group (OVG), is charged with a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1-million US fine.
According to the DOJ, Leiweke told colleagues a rival company was "bidding against us" and expressed a desire to "get them to back down" — a goal he later achieved through a 2018 agreement under which the competitor didn't submit a bid and instead received subcontracts, leaving OVG as the lone qualified bidder.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
OVG and Legends Hospitality have agreed to pay $15 million and $1.5 million in penalties, respectively, related to the conduct outlined in the indictment.
In a statement that did not mention Leiweke, OVG said it "co-operated fully with the Antitrust Division's inquiry" and was "pleased to have resolved this matter with no charges filed against OVG and no admission of fault or wrongdoing."
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