Class action filed on behalf of marine hose buyers

Miami, Florida -- A Portland, Maine, law firm has filed a class action suit against manufacturers of marine hose involved in a global price-fixing scheme that has resulted in the conviction of several executives.

The suit was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios LLP. The plaintiffs seek triple damages and other relief for non-military direct purchasers of rubber marine hose hurt by an alleged price-fixing conspiracy among marine hose manufacturing executives.

Attorneys for the defendants could not be reached for comment.

So far six executives have pleaded guilty in the antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, with five more awaiting trial. The Justice Department alleges the conspiracy began in 1999, but the complaint filed March 24 in the Southern Florida court claims it began as early as 1985.

“We feel confident that this is a strong case, based on the guilty pleas and our own investigation,” said Gregory P. Hansel, an attorney with Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)