Executive Pleads Guilty to Bid-Rigging Conspiracy Affecting US Military

Thomas C. Rollins, president of a metal fabrication and manufacturing company, has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to rig bids for maintenance, repair, and operations contracts impacting United States military installations. The scheme, which ran from at least 2015 to 2022, involved coordinating bids to suppress competition, resulting in his company earning approximately $8.47 million from rigged procurements administered by the Defense Logistics Agency. Rollins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

This guilty plea signifies a serious enforcement action by the DOJ's Antitrust Division and the Procurement Collusion Strike Force. Companies and individuals involved in government contracting, particularly those with Defense Logistics Agency procurements, should be aware of the heightened scrutiny and potential for prosecution for bid-rigging and antitrust violations. While no sentencing date has been set, this case underscores the commitment to prosecuting those who undermine fair competition in government procurement, with potential consequences including significant prison time and fines.