81 FR 78201 - United States v. Fayez Sarofim; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 215 (November 7, 2016)
Antitrust Division
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 215 (November 7, 2016)
| Page Range | 78201-78207 | |
| FR Document | 2016-26782 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 215 (Monday, November 7, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 78201-78207] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-26782] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Antitrust Division United States v. Fayez Sarofim; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C. 16(b)-(h), that a proposed Final Judgment, Stipulation, and Competitive Impact Statement have been filed with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in United States of America v. Fayez Sarofim, Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-02156. On October 27, 2016, the United States filed a Complaint alleging that Fayez Sarofim violated the premerger notification and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C. 18a, with respect to his acquisitions of voting securities of Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Kemper Corporation. The proposed Final Judgment, filed at the same time as the Complaint, requires Fayez Sarofim to pay a civil penalty of $720,000. Copies of the Complaint, proposed Final Judgment, and Competitive Impact Statement are available for inspection on the Antitrust Division's Web site at http://www.justice.gov/atr and at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Copies of these materials may be obtained from the Antitrust Division upon request and payment of the copying fee set by Department of Justice regulations. Public comment is invited within 60 days of the date of this notice. Such comments, including the name of the submitter, and responses thereto, will be posted on the Antitrust Division's Web site, filed with the Court, and, under certain circumstances, published in the Federal Register. Comments should be directed to Daniel P. Ducore, Special Attorney, United States, c/o Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., CC-8416, Washington, DC 20580 (telephone: 202- 326-2526; email: [email protected]). Patricia A. Brink, Director of Civil Enforcement. In the United States District Court for the District of Columbia UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, c/o Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530, Plaintiff, v. Fayez Sarofim, Two Houston Center, Suite 2907, Houston, TX 77010, Defendant. Case No.: 1:16-cv-02156 Judge: Rudolph Contreras Filed: 10/27/2016 [[Page 78202]] Complaint for Civil Penalties for Failure To Comply With the Premerger Reporting and Waiting Requirements of the Hart-Scott Rodino act The United States of America, Plaintiff, by its attorneys, acting under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States and at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, brings this civil antitrust action to obtain monetary relief in the form of civil penalties against Defendant Fayez Sarofim (``Sarofim''). Plaintiff alleges as follows: Nature of the Action 1. Sarofim violated the notice and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C. 18a (``HSR Act'' or ``Act''), with respect to the acquisition of voting securities of Kinder Morgan, Inc. (``KMI'') and Kemper Corporation (``Kemper''). Jurisdiction and Venue 2. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to Section 7A(g) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g), and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331, 1337(a), 1345, and 1355 and over the Defendant by virtue of Defendant's consent, in the Stipulation relating hereto, to the maintenance of this action and entry of the Final Judgment in this District. 3. Venue is properly based in this District by virtue of Defendant's consent, in the Stipulation relating hereto, to the maintenance of this action and entry of the Final Judgment in this District. The Defendant 4. Defendant Sarofim is a natural person with his principal office and place of business at Two Houston Center, Suite 2907, Houston, TX 77010. Sarofim is engaged in commerce, or in activities affecting commerce, within the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). At all times relevant to this complaint, Sarofim had sales or assets in excess of $151.7 million. Other Entities 5. KMI is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002. KMI is engaged in commerce, or in activities affecting commerce, within the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). At all times relevant to this complaint, KMI had sales or assets in excess of $15.3 million. 6. Kemper is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at One Kemper Drive, Long Grove, IL 60049. Kemper is engaged in commerce, or in activities affecting commerce, within the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). At all times relevant to this complaint, Kemper had sales or assets in excess of $15.3 million. The Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and Rules 7. The HSR Act requires certain acquiring persons and certain persons whose voting securities or assets are acquired to file notifications with the federal antitrust agencies and to observe a waiting period before consummating certain acquisitions of voting securities or assets. 15 U.S.C. 18a(a) and (b). These notification and waiting period requirements apply to acquisitions that meet the HSR Act's thresholds. Prior to February 1, 2001, the HSR Act's reporting and waiting period requirements applied to most transactions where the acquiring person would hold more than $15 million of the acquired person's voting securities and/or assets, except for certain exempted transactions. As of February 1, 2001, the size of transaction threshold was increased to $50 million. In addition, there is a separate filing requirement for transactions in which the acquirer will hold voting securities in excess of $100 million, and for transactions in which the acquirer will hold voting securities in excess of $500 million. Since 2004, the size of person and size of transaction thresholds have been adjusted annually. 8. The HSR Act's notification and waiting period requirements are intended to give the federal antitrust agencies prior notice of, and information about, proposed transactions. The waiting period is also intended to provide the federal antitrust agencies with an opportunity to investigate a proposed transaction and to determine whether to seek an injunction to prevent the consummation of a transaction that may violate the antitrust laws. 9. Section (c)(9) of the HSR Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(c)(9), exempts from the requirements of the HSR Act acquisitions of voting securities solely for the purpose of investment if, as a result of the acquisition, the securities acquired or held do not exceed ten percent of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer. 10. Pursuant to Section (d)(2) of the HSR Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(d)(2), rules were promulgated to carry out the purposes of the HSR Act. 16 CFR 801-03 (``HSR Rules''). The HSR Rules, among other things, define terms contained in the HSR Act. 11. Pursuant to section 801.13(a)(1) of the HSR Rules, 16 CFR 801.13(a)(1), ``all voting securities of [an] issuer which will be held by the acquiring person after the consummation of an acquisition''-- including any held before the acquisition--are deemed held ``as a result of'' the acquisition at issue. 12. Pursuant to sections 801.13(a)(2) and 801.10(c)(1) of the HSR Rules, 16 CFR 801.13(a)(2) and Sec. 801.10(c)(1), the value of voting securities already held is the market price, defined to be the lowest closing price within 45 days prior to the subsequent acquisition. 13. Section 801.1(i)(1) of the HSR Rules, 16 CFR 801.1(i)(1), defines the term ``solely for the purpose of investment'' as follows: Voting securities are held or acquired ``solely for the purpose of investment'' if the person holding or acquiring such voting securities has no intention of participating in the formulation, determination, or direction of the basic business decisions of the issuer. 14. Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1), provides that any person, or any officer, director, or partner thereof, who fails to comply with any provision of the HSR Act is liable to the United States for a civil penalty for each day during which such person is in violation. From November 20, 1996, through February 9, 2009, the maximum amount of civil penalty was $11,000 per day, pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 31001(s) (amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 61 FR 54548 (Oct. 21, 1996). As of February 10, 2009, the maximum amount of civil penalty was increased to $16,000 per day, pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 31001(s) (amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009). Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, 701 (further amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 81 FR 42,476 (June 30, 2016), the maximum amount of civil penalty was increased to $40,000 per day. [[Page 78203]] Defendant's Violations of the HSR Act Failure To File HSR Act Notifications in Connection With Acquisitions of KMI Voting Securities 15. Sarofim was an early investor in KMI and, by August 1999, held KMI shares valued at approximately $50 million. Sarofim's acquisitions of KMI securities up until that time were exempt under the HSR Act because they were covered by the Act's exemption of acquisitions made solely for the purpose of investment. 16. In October 1999, Sarofim became a member of the KMI board, a position that necessarily caused him to participate in the formulation, determination, or direction of the basic business decisions of KMI. As a result, Sarofim could no longer rely on the exemption for acquisitions made solely for the purpose of investment with regard to KMI. Sarofim continued to be a member of KMI's board through 2014. 17. On January 23, 2001, Sarofim acquired 237,500 shares of KMI on the open market. At the time of the acquisition, Sarofim already held voting securities of KMl. The value of the voting securities held by Sarofim after the acquisition was in excess of the then applicable $15 million size of transaction threshold. 18. Although he was required to do so, Sarofim did not file under the HSR Act prior to acquiring KMI voting securities on January 23, 2001, improperly relying on the exemption for acquisitions made solely for the purpose of investment. 19. Sarofim continued to acquire KMI voting securities, through open market purchases and otherwise. 20. On July 16, 2006, Sarofim acquired an additional 1,600 shares of KMI as compensation for serving on KMI's board. As a result of this acquisition, Sarofim held KMI voting securities valued in excess of $113.4 million, the adjusted $100 million threshold in effect at the time. 21. Although he was required to do so, Sarofim did not file under the HSR Act prior to acquiring KMI voting securities on July 16, 2006. 22. On May 30, 2007, Sarofim's KMI voting securities were converted into shares of Knight Holdco, LLC, later named Kinder Morgan Holdco, LLC. This transaction was exempt from the HSR premerger notification and waiting period requirements. After this transaction, Sarofim no longer held any voting securities of KMI. 23. On November 11, 2011, Sarofim's shares of Kinder Morgan Holdco, LLC were converted into voting securities of KMI. This transaction was exempt from the HSR premerger notification and waiting period requirements. 24. On October 25, 2012, Sarofim acquired 300,000 shares of KMI on the open market. As a result of this acquisition, Sarofim held KMI voting securities valued in excess of $682.1 million, the adjusted $500 million threshold in effect at the time. 25. Although he was required to do so, Sarofim did not file under the HSR Act prior to acquiring KMI voting securities on October 25, 2012. 26. Sarofim continued to acquire KMI voting securities, on the open market and otherwise, through at least June 4, 2014. 27. On November 21, 2014, Sarofim made three corrective filings under the HSR Act, for the three notification thresholds he crossed through the 2001, 2006, and 2012 acquisitions. The waiting period on the corrective filings expired on December 22, 2014. 28. Sarofim was in continuous violation of the HSR Act from January 23, 2001, when he acquired the KMI voting securities valued in excess of the HSR Act's then applicable $15 million size-of-transaction threshold, through May 30, 2007, when he no longer held voting securities of KMI. 29. Sarofim was again in continuous violation of the HSR Act from October 25, 2012, when he acquired the KMI voting securities valued in excess of the then $682.1 million threshold then in effect, through December 22, 2014, when the waiting period expired. Failure To File HSR Act Notification in Connection With Acquisition of Kemper Voting Securities 30. Sarofim was an investor in Teledyne, Inc., an industrial conglomerate that owned Unitrin Inc., the predecessor company to Kemper. In 1990, Unitrin was spun off from Teledyne, and investors in Teledyne, including Sarofim, received pro-rata shares of Unitrin as a result. Sarofim joined the Unitrin board shortly after the spinoff. 31. On May 10, 2007, Sarofim acquired 10,000 shares of Unitrin Inc., the predecessor to Kemper, on the open market. At the time of the acquisition, Sarofim already held voting securities of Unitrin. The value of the voting securities held by Sarofim after the acquisition was in excess of the then applicable size-of-the-transaction threshold of $59.8 million. 32. At the time of the May 10, 2007 acquisition, Sarofim was a member of Unitrin's board of directors, and Sarofim continued to be a member of Kemper's board through 2014. 33. Because he was on the Unitrin board, Sarofim could not rely on the exemption for acquisitions solely for the purpose of investment. 34. Although he was required to do so, Sarofim did not file under the HSR Act prior to acquiring Unitrin voting securities on May 10, 2007. 35. Sarofim continued to acquire Unitrin/Kemper voting securities, through open market purchases and otherwise, through at least September 10, 2008. 36. On or about august 19, 2011, Unitrin changed its name to Kemper. 37. On November 21, 2014, Sarofim made a corrective filing under the HSR Act for the acquisition of Unitrin/Kemper voting securities. The waiting period on the corrective filings expired on December 22, 2014. 38. Sarofim was in continuous violation of the HSR Act from May 10, 2007, when he acquired the Unitrin voting securities valued in excess of the HSR Act's then applicable $59.8 million size-of-transaction threshold, through December 22, 2014, when the waiting period expired. Requested Relief Wherefore, Plaintiff requests: a. That the Court adjudge and decree that Defendant Sarofim's acquisitions of KMI voting securities on January 23, 2001, July 16, 2006, and October 25, 2012, were violations of the HSR Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a; and that Defendant Sarofim was in violation of the HSR Act each day from January 23, 2001, through May 30, 2007, and from October 25, 2012, through December 22, 2014; b. That the Court adjudge and decree that Defendant Sarofim's acquisition of Kemper voting securities on May 10, 2007, was a violation of the HSR Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a; and that Defendant Sarofim was in violation of the HSR Act each day from May 10, 2007, through December 22, 2014; c. That the Court order Defendant Sarofim to pay to the United States an appropriate civil penalty as provided by the HSR Act. 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1), the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 31001(s) (amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009), and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, 701 (further amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 81 FR 42,476 (June 30, 2016) [[Page 78204]] d. That the Court order such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper; and e. That the Court award the Plaintiff its costs of this suit. Dated: October 27, 2016 For the Plaintiff United States of America: /s/-------------------------------------------------------------------- Renata B. Hesse, D.C. Bar No. 466107, Acting Assistant Attorney General Special Attorney, Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, Washington, DC 20530. /s/-------------------------------------------------------------------- Daniel P. Ducore, D.C. Bar No. 933721, Special Attorney. /s/-------------------------------------------------------------------- Roberta S. Baruch, D.C. Bar No. 269266, Special Attorney. /s/-------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth A. Libby, Special Attorney. /s/-------------------------------------------------------------------- Jennifer Lee, Special Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2694. United States District Court for the District of Columbia United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Fayez Sarofim, Defendant. Case No.: 1:16-cv-02156 Judge: Rudolph Contreras Filed: 10/27/2016 Competitive Impact Statement The United States, pursuant to the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act (``APPA''), 15 U.S.C. 16(b)-(h), files this Competitive Impact Statement to set forth the information necessary to enable the Court and the public to evaluate the proposed Final Judgment that would terminate this civil antitrust proceeding. I. Nature and Purpose of This Proceeding On October 27, 2017, the United States filed a Complaint against Defendant Fayez Sarofim (``Sarofim''), related to Sarofim's acquisitions of voting securities of Kinder Morgan, Inc. (``KMI'') and Kemper Corporation (``Kemper'') between January 2001 and December 2014. The Complaint alleges that Sarofim violated Section 7A of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a, commonly known as the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the ``HSR Act''). The HSR Act provides that ``no person shall acquire, directly or indirectly, any voting securities of any person'' exceeding certain thresholds until that person has filed pre-acquisition notification and report forms with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (collectively, the ``federal antitrust agencies'' or ``agencies'') and the post-filing waiting period has expired. 15 U.S.C. 18a(a). A key purpose of the notification and waiting period is to protect consumers and competition from potentially anticompetitive transactions by providing the agencies an opportunity to conduct an antitrust review of proposed transactions before they are consummated. The Complaint alleges that Sarofim acquired voting securities of KMI and Kemper in excess of then-applicable statutory thresholds without making the required pre-acquisition HSR filings with the agencies and without observing the waiting period, and that Sarofim and each of KMI and Kemper met the applicable statutory size of person thresholds. At the same time the Complaint was filed in the present action, the United States also filed a Stipulation and proposed Final Judgment that eliminates the need for a trial in this case. The proposed Final Judgment is designed to deter Sarofim's HSR Act violations. Under the proposed Final Judgment, Sarofim must pay a civil penalty to the United States in the amount of $720,000. The United States and the Defendant have stipulated that the proposed Final Judgment may be entered after compliance with the APPA, unless the United States first withdraws its consent. Entry of the proposed Final Judgment would terminate this case, except that the Court would retain jurisdiction to construe, modify, or enforce the provisions of the proposed Final Judgment and punish violations thereof. II. Description of the Events Giving Rise to the Alleged Violations of the Antitrust Laws A. Sarofim's 2001, 2006, and 2012 Acquisitions of KMI Voting Securities Sarofim is an investor. Sarofim is the second-largest shareholder in KMI. At all times relevant to the Complaint, Sarofim had sales or assets in excess of $151.7 million. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, KMI is the largest energy infrastructure company in North America. At all times relevant to the Complaint, KMI had sales or assets in excess of $15.3 million. Sarofim was an early investor in KMI and, by August 1999, held KMI shares valued at approximately $50 million. Sarofim's acquisitions of KMI securities up until that time were exempt under the HSR Act because they were covered by the Act's investment-only exemption, which exempts ``acquisitions, solely for the purpose of investment, of voting securities, if, as a result of such acquisition, the securities acquired or held do not exceed 10 per centum of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer.'' 15 U.S.C. 18a(c)(9). The HSR Rules provide that securities are held ``solely for the purpose of investment'' if the person holding or acquiring the securities has ``no intention of participating in the formulation, determination, or direction of the basic business decisions of the issuer.'' 16 CFR 801.1(i)(1). In October 1999, Sarofim became a member of the KMI board, a position that necessarily caused him to participate in the formulation, determination, or direction of the basic business decisions of KMI. On January 23, 2001, Sarofim, while still a KMI board member, acquired 237,000 shares of KMI on the open market. As a result of this acquisition, Sarofim held KMI voting securities valued at over the $15 million HSR threshold that was then in place. Sarofim improperly relied on the investment-only exemption and did not make an HSR filing in connection with the 2001 acquisition. Sarofim again failed to make HSR filings when he crossed the two subsequent filing thresholds related to his holdings in KMI. On July 16, 2006, Sarofim acquired 1,600 shares of KMI as compensation for serving on the KMI board. As a result of this acquisition, Sarofim held KMI voting securities valued over the $113.4 million filing threshold. On May 30, 2007, Sarofim's KMI voting securities were converted into shares of Knight Holdco, LLC, later named Kinder Morgan Holdco, LLC. This transaction was exempt from the HSR premerger notification and waiting period requirements. After this transaction, Sarofim no longer held any voting securities of KMI. On November 11, 2011, Sarofim's shares of Kinder Morgan Holdco, LLC were converted into voting securities of KMI. This transaction was exempt from the HSR premerger notification and waiting period requirements. Later, on October 25, 2012, Sarofim purchased 300,000 shares of KMI on the open market. As a result of that acquisition, Sarofim held KMI voting securities valued in excess of the $682.1 million filing threshold. Sarofim made corrective HSR Act filings on November 21, 2014, after learning that he had improperly relied on the investment-only exemption and was obligated to file. The waiting period expired on December 22, 2014. [[Page 78205]] B. Sarofim's Acquisitions of Kemper Voting Securities Kemper Corporation is an insurance holding company, with subsidiaries that provide automobile, homeowners, life, health, and other insurance products to individuals and businesses. At all times relevant to the Complaint, Kemper had sales or assets in excess of $15.3 million. Sarofim was an investor in Teledyne, Inc., an industrial conglomerate that owned Unitrin Inc., the predecessor company to Kemper. In 1990, Unitrin was spun off from Teledyne, and investors in Teledyne, including Sarofim, received pro-rata shares of Unitrin as a result. Sarofim joined the Unitrin board shortly after the spinoff. On May 10, 2007, Sarofim, while still a Unitrin board member, acquired 10,000 shares of Unitrin on the open market. As a result of the acquisition, Sarofim held Unitrin voting securities valued over $59.8 million, the threshold that was then in place. Sarofim again improperly relied on the investment-only exemption and did not make an HSR Act filing. Sarofim could not rely on the investment-only exemption because of his status as a Unitrin board member. Through at least September 10, 2008, Sarofim made numerous purchases of Unitrin voting securities on the open market without making HSR Act filings. On or about August 19, 2011, Unitrin changed its name to Kemper. Sarofim made a corrective HSR Act filing on November 21, 2014, after learning that he had improperly relied on the investment-only exemption and was obligated to file. The waiting period expired on December 22, 2014. III. Explanation of the Proposed Final Judgment The proposed Final Judgment imposes a $720,000 civil penalty designed to deter the Defendant and others from violating the HSR Act. The United States adjusted the penalty downward from the maximum permitted under the HSR Act because the violations were inadvertent, the Defendant promptly self-reported the violations after discovery, and the Defendant is willing to resolve the matter by consent decree and avoid prolonged investigation and litigation. The relief will have a beneficial effect on competition because the agencies will be properly notified of future acquisitions, in accordance with the law. At the same time, the penalty will not have any adverse effect on competition. IV. Remedies Available to Potential Private Litigants There is no private antitrust action for HSR Act violations; therefore, entry of the proposed Final Judgment will neither impair nor assist the bringing of any private antitrust action. V. Procedures Available for Modification of the Proposed Final Judgment The United States and the Defendant have stipulated that the proposed Final Judgment may be entered by this Court after compliance with the provisions of the APPA, provided that the United States has not withdrawn its consent. The APPA conditions entry of the decree upon this Court's determination that the proposed Final Judgment is in the public interest. The APPA provides a period of at least sixty (60) days preceding the effective date of the proposed Final Judgment within which any person may submit to the United States written comments regarding the proposed Final Judgment. Any person who wishes to comment should do so within sixty (60) days of the date of publication of this Competitive Impact Statement in the Federal Register, or the last date of publication in a newspaper of the summary of this Competitive Impact Statement, whichever is later. All comments received during this period will be considered by the United States, which remains free to withdraw its consent to the proposed Final Judgment at any time prior to entry. The comments and the response of the United States will be filed with this Court. In addition, comments will be posted on the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division's internet Web site and, under certain circumstances, published in the Federal Register. Written comments should be submitted to: Daniel P. Ducore, Special Attorney, United States, c/o Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., CC- 8416, Washington, DC 20580, Email: [email protected]. The proposed Final Judgment provides that this Court retains jurisdiction over this action, and the parties may apply to this Court for any order necessary or appropriate for the modification, interpretation, or enforcement of the Final Judgment. VI. Alternatives to the Proposed Final Judgment As an alternative to the proposed Final Judgment, the United States considered pursuing a full trial on the merits against the Defendant. The United States is satisfied, however, that the proposed relief is an appropriate remedy in this matter. Given the facts of this case, including the Defendant's self-reporting of the violation and willingness to promptly settle this matter, the United States is satisfied that the proposed civil penalty is sufficient to address the violation alleged in the Complaint and to deter violations by similarly situated entities in the future, without the time, expense, and uncertainty of a full trial on the merits. VII. Standard of Review Under the APPA for the Proposed Final Judgment The APPA requires proposed consent judgments in antitrust cases brought by the United States be subject to a sixty (60) day comment period, after which the court shall determine whether entry of the proposed Final Judgment is ``in the public interest.'' 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(1). In making that determination, the court, in accordance with the statute as amended in 2004, is required to consider: (A) the competitive impact of such judgment, including termination of alleged violations, provisions for enforcement and modification, duration of relief sought, anticipated effects of alternative remedies actually considered, whether its terms are ambiguous, and any other competitive considerations bearing upon the adequacy of such judgment that the court deems necessary to a determination of whether the consent judgment is in the public interest; and (B) the impact of entry of such judgment upon competition in the relevant market or markets, upon the public generally and individuals alleging specific injury from the violations set forth in the complaint including consideration of the public benefit, if any, to be derived from a determination of the issues at trial. Id. Sec. 16(e)(1)(A) & (B). In considering these statutory factors, the court's inquiry is necessarily a limited one, as the government is entitled to ``broad discretion to settle with the defendant within the reaches of the public interest.'' United States v. Microsoft Corp., 56 F.3d 1448, 1461 (D.C. Cir. 1995); see generally United States v. SBC Commc'ns, Inc., 489 F. Supp. 2d 1 (D.D.C. 2007) (assessing public interest standard under the Tunney Act); United States v. U.S. Airways Group, Inc., 38 F. Supp. 3d 69, 75 (D.D.C. 2014) (noting that the court's ``inquiry is limited'' because the government has ``broad discretion'' to determine the adequacy of the relief secured through a settlement); United States v. InBev N.V./S.A., No. 08-1965 (JR), 2009-2 Trade Cas. (CCH) ] 76,736, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84787, at *3 (D.D.C. Aug. 11, 2009) (noting that the court's review of a consent judgment is limited and only [[Page 78206]] inquires ``into whether the government's determination that the proposed remedies will cure the antitrust violations alleged in the complaint was reasonable, and whether the mechanism to enforce the final judgment are clear and manageable.'').\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The 2004 amendments substituted ``shall'' for ``may'' in directing relevant factors for court to consider and amended the list of factors to focus on competitive considerations and to address potentially ambiguous judgment terms. Compare 15 U.S.C. 16(e) (2004), with 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(1) (2006); see also SBC Commc'ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 11 (concluding that the 2004 amendments ``effected minimal changes'' to Tunney Act review). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has held, a court conducting an inquiry under the APPA may consider, among other things, the relationship between the remedy secured and the specific allegations set forth in the government's complaint, whether the decree is sufficiently clear, whether enforcement mechanisms are sufficient, and whether the decree may positively harm third parties. See Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1458-62. With respect to the adequacy of the relief secured by the decree, a court may not ``engage in an unrestricted evaluation of what relief would best serve the public.'' United States v. BNS, Inc., 858 F.2d 456, 462 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting United States v. Bechtel Corp., 648 F.2d 660, 666 (9th Cir. 1981)); see also Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1460-62; United States v. Alcoa, Inc., 152 F. Supp. 2d 37, 40 (D.D.C. 2001); InBev, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84787, at *3. Courts have held that: [t]he balancing of competing social and political interests affected by a proposed antitrust consent decree must be left, in the first instance, to the discretion of the Attorney General. The court's role in protecting the public interest is one of insuring that the government has not breached its duty to the public in consenting to the decree. The court is required to determine not whether a particular decree is the one that will best serve society, but whether the settlement is ``within the reaches of the public interest.'' More elaborate requirements might undermine the effectiveness of antitrust enforcement by consent decree. Bechtel, 648 F.2d at 666 (emphasis added) (citations omitted).\2\ In determining whether a proposed settlement is in the public interest, a district court ``must accord deference to the government's predictions about the efficacy of its remedies, and may not require that the remedies perfectly match the alleged violations.'' SBC Commc'ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 17; see also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 75 (noting that a court should not reject the proposed remedies because it believes others are preferable); Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1461 (noting the need for courts to be ``deferential to the government's predictions as to the effect of the proposed remedies''); United States v. Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., 272 F. Supp. 2d 1, 6 (D.D.C. 2003) (noting that the court should grant due respect to the government's prediction as to the effect of proposed remedies, its perception of the market structure, and its views of the nature of the case). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Cf. BNS, 858 F.2d at 464 (holding that the court's ``ultimate authority under the [APPA] is limited to approving or disapproving the consent decree''); United States v. Gillette Co., 406 F. Supp. 713, 716 (D. Mass. 1975) (noting that, in this way, the court is constrained to ``look at the overall picture not hypercritically, nor with a microscope, but with an artist's reducing glass''). See generally Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1461 (discussing whether ``the remedies [obtained in the decree are] so inconsonant with the allegations charged as to fall outside of the `reaches of the public interest' ''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Courts have greater flexibility in approving proposed consent decrees than in crafting their own decrees following a finding of liability in a litigated matter. ``[A] proposed decree must be approved even if it falls short of the remedy the court would impose on its own, as long as it falls within the range of acceptability or is `within the reaches of public interest.' '' United States v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 552 F. Supp. 131, 151 (D.D.C. 1982) (citations omitted) (quoting United States v. Gillette Co., 406 F. Supp. 713, 716 (D. Mass. 1975)), aff'd sub nom., Maryland v. United States, 460 U.S. 1001 (1983); see also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 76 (noting that room must be made for the government to grant concessions in the negotiation process for settlements (citing Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1461)); United States v. Alcan Aluminum Ltd., 605 F. Supp. 619, 622 (W.D. Ky. 1985) (approving the consent decree even though the court would have imposed a greater remedy). To meet this standard, the United States ``need only provide a factual basis for concluding that the settlements are reasonably adequate remedies for the alleged harms.'' SBC Commc'ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 17. Moreover, the court's role under the APPA is limited to reviewing the remedy in relationship to the violations that the United States has alleged in its Complaint, and does not authorize the court to ``construct [its] own hypothetical case and then evaluate the decree against that case.'' Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1459; see also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 75 (noting that the court must simply determine whether there is a factual foundation for the government's decisions such that its conclusions regarding the proposed settlements are reasonable); InBev, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84787, at *20 (concluding that ``the `public interest' is not to be measured by comparing the violations alleged in the complaint against those the court believes could have, or even should have, been alleged''). Because the ``court's authority to review the decree depends entirely on the government's exercising its prosecutorial discretion by bringing a case in the first place,'' it follows that ``the court is only authorized to review the decree itself,'' and not to ``effectively redraft the complaint'' to inquire into other matters that the United States did not pursue. Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1459-60. As this Court confirmed in SBC Communications, courts ``cannot look beyond the complaint in making the public interest determination unless the complaint is drafted so narrowly as to make a mockery of judicial power.'' 489 F. Supp. 2d at 15. In its 2004 amendments, Congress made clear its intent to preserve the practical benefits of utilizing consent decrees in antitrust enforcement, adding the unambiguous instruction that ``[n]othing in this section shall be construed to require the court to conduct an evidentiary hearing or to require the court to permit anyone to intervene.'' 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(2); see also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 76 (indicating that a court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing or to permit intervenors as part of its review under the Tunney Act). This language codified what Congress intended when it enacted the Tunney Act in 1974, as the author of this legislation, Senator Tunney, explained: ``The court is nowhere compelled to go to trial or to engage in extended proceedings which might have the effect of vitiating the benefits of prompt and less costly settlement through the consent decree process.'' 119 Cong. Rec. 24,598 (1973) (statement of Sen. Tunney). Rather, the procedure for the public interest determination is left to the discretion of the court, with the recognition that the court's ``scope of review remains sharply proscribed by precedent and the nature of Tunney Act proceedings.'' SBC Commc'ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 11.\3\ [[Page 78207]] A court can make its public interest determination based on the competitive impact statement and response to public comments alone. U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 76. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See also United States v. Enova Corp., 107 F. Supp. 2d 10, 17 (D.D.C. 2000) (noting that the ``Tunney Act expressly allows the court to make its public interest determination on the basis of the competitive impact statement and response to comments alone''); United States v. Mid-Am. Dairymen, Inc., No. 73-CV-681-W-1, 1977-1 Trade Cas. (CCH) ] 61,508, at 71,980, *22 (W.D. Mo. 1977) (``Absent a showing of corrupt failure of the government to discharge its duty, the Court, in making its public interest finding, should . . . carefully consider the explanations of the government in the competitive impact statement and its responses to comments in order to determine whether those explanations are reasonable under the circumstances.''); S. Rep. No. 93-298, at 6 (1973) (``Where the public interest can be meaningfully evaluated simply on the basis of briefs and oral arguments, that is the approach that should be utilized.''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- VIII. Determinative Documents There are no determinative materials or documents within the meaning of the APPA that were considered by the United States in formulating the proposed Final Judgment. Date: October 27, 2016 Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Kenneth A. Libby Kenneth A. Libby, Special Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, c/ o Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20580, Phone: (202) 326-2694, Email: [email protected]. United States District Court for the District of Columbia United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Fayez Sarofim, Defendant. Case No.: 1:16-cv-02156 Judge: Rudolph Contreras Filed: 10/27/2016 Final Judgment Plaintiff, the United States of America, having commenced this action by filing its Complaint herein for violation of Section 7A of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a, commonly known as the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and Plaintiff and Defendant Fayez Sarofim, by their respective attorneys, having consented to the entry of this Final Judgment without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law herein, and without this Final Judgment constituting any evidence against or an admission by the Defendant with respect to any such issue: Now therefore, before the taking of any testimony and without trial or adjudication of any issue of fact or law herein, and upon the consent of the parties hereto, it is hereby Ordered, adjudged, and decreed: I. The Court has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this action and of the Plaintiff and the Defendant. The Complaint states a claim upon which relief can be granted against the Defendant under Section 7A of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a. II. Judgment is hereby entered in this matter in favor of Plaintiff United States of America and against Defendant, and, pursuant to Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1), the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134 Sec. 31001(s) (amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 U.S.C. 2461), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 61 FR 54549 (Oct. 21, 1996), and 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009), and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74 Sec. 701 (further amending the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990), and Federal Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 81 FR 42,476 (June 30, 2016), Defendant Fayez Sarofim is hereby ordered to pay a civil penalty in the amount of seven hundred twenty thousand dollars ($720,000). Payment of the civil penalty ordered hereby shall be made by wire transfer of funds or cashier's check. If the payment is made by wire transfer, Defendant shall contact Janie Ingalls of the Antitrust Division's Antitrust Documents Group at (202) 514-2481 for instructions before making the transfer. If the payment is made by cashier's check, the check shall be made payable to the United States Department of Justice and delivered to: Janie Ingalls, United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, Antitrust Documents Group, 450 5th Street NW., Suite 1024, Washington, DC 20530. Defendant shall pay the full amount of the civil penalty within thirty (30) days of entry of this Final Judgment. In the event of a default or delay in payment, interest at the rate of eighteen (18) percent per annum shall accrue thereon from the date of the default or delay to the date of payment. III. Each party shall bear its own costs of this action. IV. The entry of this Final Judgment is in the public interest. The parties have complied with the requirements of the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 U.S.C. 16, including making copies available to the public of this Final Judgment, the Competitive Impact Statement, and any comments thereon and the United States' responses to comments. Based upon the record before the Court, which includes the Competitive Impact Statement and any comments and response to comments filed with the Court, entry of this Final Judgment is in the public interest. Dated:----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- United States District Judge [FR Doc. 2016-26782 Filed 11-4-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 215 / Monday, November 7, 2016 / Notices 78201
D. If at the time information or Wabtec shall not consummate the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
documents are furnished by defendants proposed transaction or agreement until
to the United States, defendants thirty (30) calendar days after Antitrust Division
represent and identify in writing the submitting all such additional
material in any such information or United States v. Fayez Sarofim;
information. Early termination of the
documents to which a claim of Proposed Final Judgment and
waiting periods in this paragraph may
protection may be asserted under Rule Competitive Impact Statement
be requested and, where appropriate,
26(c)(1)(g) of the Federal Rules of Civil granted in the same manner as is Notice is hereby given pursuant to the
Procedure, and defendants mark each applicable under the requirements and Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act,
pertinent page of such material, 15 U.S.C. 16(b)–(h), that a proposed
provisions of the HSR Act and rules
‘‘Subject to claim of protection under Final Judgment, Stipulation, and
promulgated thereunder. This Section
Rule 26(c)(1)(g) of the Federal Rules of Competitive Impact Statement have
Civil Procedure,’’ then the United States shall be broadly construed and any
ambiguity or uncertainty regarding the been filed with the United States
shall give defendants ten (10) calendar District Court for the District of
days notice prior to divulging such filing of notice under this Section shall
be resolved in favor of filing notice. Columbia in United States of America v.
material in any legal proceeding (other Fayez Sarofim, Civil Action No. 1:16–
than a grand jury proceeding). XII. No Reacquisition cv–02156. On October 27, 2016, the
XI. Notification United States filed a Complaint alleging
Wabtec may not reacquire any part of that Fayez Sarofim violated the
A. Unless such transaction is the Divestiture Assets during the term of
otherwise subject to the reporting and premerger notification and waiting
this Final Judgment. period requirements of the Hart-Scott-
waiting period requirements of the Hart-
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements XIII. Retention of Jurisdiction Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
Act of 1976, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 18a 1976, 15 U.S.C. 18a, with respect to his
(the ‘‘HSR Act’’), during the term of this This Court retains jurisdiction to acquisitions of voting securities of
Final Judgment, Wabtec, without enable any party to this Final Judgment Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Kemper
providing advance notification to the to apply to this Court at any time for Corporation. The proposed Final
Antitrust Division, shall not directly or further orders and directions as may be Judgment, filed at the same time as the
indirectly acquire any assets of or any necessary or appropriate to carry out or Complaint, requires Fayez Sarofim to
interest, including, but not limited to, construe this Final Judgment, to modify pay a civil penalty of $720,000.
any financial, security, loan, equity, or any of its provisions, to enforce Copies of the Complaint, proposed
management interest, in any entity compliance, and to punish violations of Final Judgment, and Competitive Impact
engaged in the design, development, its provisions. Statement are available for inspection
production (including the provision of on the Antitrust Division’s Web site at
any input product comprising five XIV. Expiration of Final Judgment http://www.justice.gov/atr and at the
percent or more of the value of any final Office of the Clerk of the United States
Unless this Court grants an extension, District Court for the District of
product), marketing, servicing, this Final Judgment shall expire ten
distribution, or sale of freight car brake Columbia. Copies of these materials may
years from the date of its entry. be obtained from the Antitrust Division
systems or components thereof in the
United States. XV. Public Interest Determination upon request and payment of the
B. Such notification shall be provided copying fee set by Department of Justice
to the Antitrust Division in the same Entry of this Final Judgment is in the regulations.
format as, and per the instructions public interest. The parties have Public comment is invited within 60
relating to the Notification and Report complied with the requirements of the days of the date of this notice. Such
Form set forth in the Appendix to Part Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, comments, including the name of the
803 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal 15 U.S.C. 16, including making copies submitter, and responses thereto, will be
Regulations as amended, except that the available to the public of this Final posted on the Antitrust Division’s Web
information requested in Items 5 Judgment, the Competitive Impact site, filed with the Court, and, under
through 9 of the instructions must be Statement, and any comments thereon certain circumstances, published in the
provided only about freight car brake and the United States’ responses to Federal Register. Comments should be
systems or components thereof comments. Based upon the record directed to Daniel P. Ducore, Special
described in Section V of the Complaint Attorney, United States, c/o Federal
before the Court, which includes the
filed in this matter (including any input Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania
Competitive Impact Statement and any
product comprising five percent or more Avenue NW., CC–8416, Washington, DC
comments and response to comments
of the value of any final product). 20580 (telephone: 202–326–2526; email:
Notification shall be provided at least filed with the Court, entry of this Final dducore@ftc.gov).
thirty (30) calendar days prior to Judgment is in the public interest.
Patricia A. Brink,
acquiring any such interest, and shall Date: llllllllllllllllll
include, beyond what may be required Director of Civil Enforcement.
Court approval subject to procedures of
by the applicable instructions, the Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, 15 In the United States District Court
names of the principal representatives U.S.C. 16. for the District of Columbia
of the parties to the agreement who lllllllllllllllllllll
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, c/o
negotiated the agreement, and any United States District Judge Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
management or strategic plans [FR Doc. 2016–26781 Filed 11–4–16; 8:45 am] 20530, Plaintiff, v. Fayez Sarofim, Two
discussing the proposed transaction. If Houston Center, Suite 2907, Houston, TX
BILLING CODE P
within the thirty-day period after 77010, Defendant.
notification, representatives of the Case No.: 1:16–cv–02156
Antitrust Division make a written Judge: Rudolph Contreras
request for additional information, Filed: 10/27/2016
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![78202 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 215 / Monday, November 7, 2016 / Notices
Complaint for Civil Penalties for KMI had sales or assets in excess of 10. Pursuant to Section (d)(2) of the
Failure To Comply With the Premerger $15.3 million. HSR Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(d)(2), rules were
Reporting and Waiting Requirements of 6. Kemper is a corporation organized promulgated to carry out the purposes
the Hart–Scott Rodino act under the laws of Delaware with its of the HSR Act. 16 CFR 801–03 (‘‘HSR
principal place of business at One Rules’’). The HSR Rules, among other
The United States of America,
Kemper Drive, Long Grove, IL 60049. things, define terms contained in the
Plaintiff, by its attorneys, acting under
Kemper is engaged in commerce, or in HSR Act.
the direction of the Attorney General of 11. Pursuant to section 801.13(a)(1) of
the United States and at the request of activities affecting commerce, within
the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton the HSR Rules, 16 CFR 801.13(a)(1), ‘‘all
the Federal Trade Commission, brings voting securities of [an] issuer which
this civil antitrust action to obtain Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1)
of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). will be held by the acquiring person
monetary relief in the form of civil after the consummation of an
penalties against Defendant Fayez At all times relevant to this complaint,
Kemper had sales or assets in excess of acquisition’’—including any held before
Sarofim (‘‘Sarofim’’). Plaintiff alleges as the acquisition—are deemed held ‘‘as a
follows: $15.3 million.
result of’’ the acquisition at issue.
Nature of the Action The Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and Rules 12. Pursuant to sections 801.13(a)(2)
7. The HSR Act requires certain and 801.10(c)(1) of the HSR Rules, 16
1. Sarofim violated the notice and CFR 801.13(a)(2) and § 801.10(c)(1), the
waiting period requirements of the Hart- acquiring persons and certain persons
whose voting securities or assets are value of voting securities already held is
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements the market price, defined to be the
Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C. 18a (‘‘HSR Act’’ acquired to file notifications with the
federal antitrust agencies and to observe lowest closing price within 45 days
or ‘‘Act’’), with respect to the prior to the subsequent acquisition.
acquisition of voting securities of a waiting period before consummating
13. Section 801.1(i)(1) of the HSR
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (‘‘KMI’’) and certain acquisitions of voting securities
Rules, 16 CFR 801.1(i)(1), defines the
Kemper Corporation (‘‘Kemper’’). or assets. 15 U.S.C. 18a(a) and (b). These
term ‘‘solely for the purpose of
notification and waiting period
Jurisdiction and Venue investment’’ as follows:
requirements apply to acquisitions that
meet the HSR Act’s thresholds. Prior to Voting securities are held or acquired
2. This Court has jurisdiction over the ‘‘solely for the purpose of investment’’ if the
subject matter of this action pursuant to February 1, 2001, the HSR Act’s
person holding or acquiring such voting
Section 7A(g) of the Clayton Act, 15 reporting and waiting period securities has no intention of participating in
U.S.C. 18a(g), and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. requirements applied to most the formulation, determination, or direction
1331, 1337(a), 1345, and 1355 and over transactions where the acquiring person of the basic business decisions of the issuer.
the Defendant by virtue of Defendant’s would hold more than $15 million of
14. Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton
consent, in the Stipulation relating the acquired person’s voting securities
Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1), provides that
hereto, to the maintenance of this action and/or assets, except for certain
any person, or any officer, director, or
and entry of the Final Judgment in this exempted transactions. As of February
partner thereof, who fails to comply
District. 1, 2001, the size of transaction threshold with any provision of the HSR Act is
3. Venue is properly based in this was increased to $50 million. In liable to the United States for a civil
District by virtue of Defendant’s addition, there is a separate filing penalty for each day during which such
consent, in the Stipulation relating requirement for transactions in which person is in violation. From November
hereto, to the maintenance of this action the acquirer will hold voting securities 20, 1996, through February 9, 2009, the
and entry of the Final Judgment in this in excess of $100 million, and for maximum amount of civil penalty was
District. transactions in which the acquirer will $11,000 per day, pursuant to the Debt
hold voting securities in excess of $500 Collection Improvement Act of 1996,
The Defendant million. Since 2004, the size of person Public Law 104–134, 31001(s)
4. Defendant Sarofim is a natural and size of transaction thresholds have (amending the Federal Civil Penalties
person with his principal office and been adjusted annually. Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28
place of business at Two Houston 8. The HSR Act’s notification and U.S.C. 2461 note), and Federal Trade
Center, Suite 2907, Houston, TX 77010. waiting period requirements are Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 61
Sarofim is engaged in commerce, or in intended to give the federal antitrust FR 54548 (Oct. 21, 1996). As of February
activities affecting commerce, within agencies prior notice of, and 10, 2009, the maximum amount of civil
the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton information about, proposed penalty was increased to $16,000 per
Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1) transactions. The waiting period is also day, pursuant to the Debt Collection
of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). intended to provide the federal antitrust Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law
At all times relevant to this complaint, agencies with an opportunity to 104–134, 31001(s) (amending the
Sarofim had sales or assets in excess of investigate a proposed transaction and Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
$151.7 million. to determine whether to seek an Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 U.S.C. 2461
injunction to prevent the consummation note), and Federal Trade Commission
Other Entities of a transaction that may violate the Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 74 FR 857 (Jan.
5. KMI is a corporation organized antitrust laws. 9, 2009). Pursuant to the Federal Civil
under the laws of Delaware with its 9. Section (c)(9) of the HSR Act, 15 Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
principal place of business at 1001 U.S.C. 18a(c)(9), exempts from the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law
Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002. requirements of the HSR Act 114–74, 701 (further amending the
KMI is engaged in commerce, or in acquisitions of voting securities solely Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
activities affecting commerce, within for the purpose of investment if, as a Adjustment Act of 1990), and Federal
the meaning of Section 1 of the Clayton result of the acquisition, the securities Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR
Act, 15 U.S.C. 12, and Section 7A(a)(1) acquired or held do not exceed ten 1.98, 81 FR 42,476 (June 30, 2016), the
of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(a)(1). percent of the outstanding voting maximum amount of civil penalty was
At all times relevant to this complaint, securities of the issuer. increased to $40,000 per day.
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inquires ‘‘into whether the government’s settlement is in the public interest, a (concluding that ‘‘the ‘public interest’ is
determination that the proposed district court ‘‘must accord deference to not to be measured by comparing the
remedies will cure the antitrust the government’s predictions about the violations alleged in the complaint
violations alleged in the complaint was efficacy of its remedies, and may not against those the court believes could
reasonable, and whether the mechanism require that the remedies perfectly have, or even should have, been
to enforce the final judgment are clear match the alleged violations.’’ SBC alleged’’). Because the ‘‘court’s authority
and manageable.’’).1 Commc’ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 17; see to review the decree depends entirely
As the United States Court of Appeals also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 75 on the government’s exercising its
for the District of Columbia Circuit has (noting that a court should not reject the prosecutorial discretion by bringing a
held, a court conducting an inquiry proposed remedies because it believes case in the first place,’’ it follows that
under the APPA may consider, among others are preferable); Microsoft, 56 F.3d ‘‘the court is only authorized to review
other things, the relationship between at 1461 (noting the need for courts to be the decree itself,’’ and not to ‘‘effectively
the remedy secured and the specific ‘‘deferential to the government’s redraft the complaint’’ to inquire into
allegations set forth in the government’s predictions as to the effect of the other matters that the United States did
complaint, whether the decree is proposed remedies’’); United States v. not pursue. Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1459–
sufficiently clear, whether enforcement Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., 272 F. 60. As this Court confirmed in SBC
mechanisms are sufficient, and whether Supp. 2d 1, 6 (D.D.C. 2003) (noting that Communications, courts ‘‘cannot look
the decree may positively harm third the court should grant due respect to the beyond the complaint in making the
parties. See Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1458– government’s prediction as to the effect public interest determination unless the
62. With respect to the adequacy of the of proposed remedies, its perception of complaint is drafted so narrowly as to
relief secured by the decree, a court may the market structure, and its views of make a mockery of judicial power.’’ 489
not ‘‘engage in an unrestricted the nature of the case). F. Supp. 2d at 15.
evaluation of what relief would best Courts have greater flexibility in In its 2004 amendments, Congress
serve the public.’’ United States v. BNS, approving proposed consent decrees made clear its intent to preserve the
Inc., 858 F.2d 456, 462 (9th Cir. 1988) than in crafting their own decrees practical benefits of utilizing consent
(quoting United States v. Bechtel Corp., following a finding of liability in a decrees in antitrust enforcement, adding
648 F.2d 660, 666 (9th Cir. 1981)); see litigated matter. ‘‘[A] proposed decree the unambiguous instruction that
also Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1460–62; must be approved even if it falls short ‘‘[n]othing in this section shall be
United States v. Alcoa, Inc., 152 F. of the remedy the court would impose construed to require the court to
Supp. 2d 37, 40 (D.D.C. 2001); InBev, on its own, as long as it falls within the conduct an evidentiary hearing or to
2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84787, at *3. range of acceptability or is ‘within the require the court to permit anyone to
Courts have held that: reaches of public interest.’ ’’ United intervene.’’ 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(2); see also
States v. Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 552 F. U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at 76
[t]he balancing of competing social and Supp. 131, 151 (D.D.C. 1982) (citations (indicating that a court is not required
political interests affected by a proposed omitted) (quoting United States v. to hold an evidentiary hearing or to
antitrust consent decree must be left, in the
first instance, to the discretion of the
Gillette Co., 406 F. Supp. 713, 716 (D. permit intervenors as part of its review
Attorney General. The court’s role in Mass. 1975)), aff’d sub nom., Maryland under the Tunney Act). This language
protecting the public interest is one of v. United States, 460 U.S. 1001 (1983); codified what Congress intended when
insuring that the government has not see also U.S. Airways, 38 F. Supp. 3d at it enacted the Tunney Act in 1974, as
breached its duty to the public in consenting 76 (noting that room must be made for the author of this legislation, Senator
to the decree. The court is required to the government to grant concessions in Tunney, explained: ‘‘The court is
determine not whether a particular decree is the negotiation process for settlements nowhere compelled to go to trial or to
the one that will best serve society, but (citing Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1461)); engage in extended proceedings which
whether the settlement is ‘‘within the reaches United States v. Alcan Aluminum Ltd., might have the effect of vitiating the
of the public interest.’’ More elaborate 605 F. Supp. 619, 622 (W.D. Ky. 1985) benefits of prompt and less costly
requirements might undermine the
effectiveness of antitrust enforcement by
(approving the consent decree even settlement through the consent decree
consent decree. though the court would have imposed a process.’’ 119 Cong. Rec. 24,598 (1973)
greater remedy). To meet this standard, (statement of Sen. Tunney). Rather, the
Bechtel, 648 F.2d at 666 (emphasis the United States ‘‘need only provide a procedure for the public interest
added) (citations omitted).2 In factual basis for concluding that the determination is left to the discretion of
determining whether a proposed settlements are reasonably adequate the court, with the recognition that the
remedies for the alleged harms.’’ SBC court’s ‘‘scope of review remains
1 The 2004 amendments substituted ‘‘shall’’ for
Commc’ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 17. sharply proscribed by precedent and the
‘‘may’’ in directing relevant factors for court to
consider and amended the list of factors to focus on
Moreover, the court’s role under the nature of Tunney Act proceedings.’’
competitive considerations and to address APPA is limited to reviewing the SBC Commc’ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 11.3
potentially ambiguous judgment terms. Compare 15 remedy in relationship to the violations
U.S.C. 16(e) (2004), with 15 U.S.C. 16(e)(1) (2006); that the United States has alleged in its 3 See also United States v. Enova Corp., 107 F.
see also SBC Commc’ns, 489 F. Supp. 2d at 11 Supp. 2d 10, 17 (D.D.C. 2000) (noting that the
(concluding that the 2004 amendments ‘‘effected
Complaint, and does not authorize the
‘‘Tunney Act expressly allows the court to make its
minimal changes’’ to Tunney Act review). court to ‘‘construct [its] own public interest determination on the basis of the
2 Cf. BNS, 858 F.2d at 464 (holding that the hypothetical case and then evaluate the competitive impact statement and response to
court’s ‘‘ultimate authority under the [APPA] is decree against that case.’’ Microsoft, 56 comments alone’’); United States v. Mid-Am.
limited to approving or disapproving the consent Dairymen, Inc., No. 73–CV–681–W–1, 1977–1 Trade
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
F.3d at 1459; see also U.S. Airways, 38
decree’’); United States v. Gillette Co., 406 F. Supp. Cas. (CCH) ¶ 61,508, at 71,980, *22 (W.D. Mo. 1977)
713, 716 (D. Mass. 1975) (noting that, in this way,
F. Supp. 3d at 75 (noting that the court (‘‘Absent a showing of corrupt failure of the
the court is constrained to ‘‘look at the overall must simply determine whether there is government to discharge its duty, the Court, in
picture not hypercritically, nor with a microscope, a factual foundation for the making its public interest finding, should . . .
but with an artist’s reducing glass’’). See generally government’s decisions such that its carefully consider the explanations of the
Microsoft, 56 F.3d at 1461 (discussing whether ‘‘the government in the competitive impact statement
remedies [obtained in the decree are] so
conclusions regarding the proposed and its responses to comments in order to
inconsonant with the allegations charged as to fall settlements are reasonable); InBev, 2009 determine whether those explanations are
outside of the ‘reaches of the public interest’ ’’). U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84787, at *20 reasonable under the circumstances.’’); S. Rep. No.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 215 / Monday, November 7, 2016 / Notices 78207
A court can make its public interest II. filed with the Court, entry of this Final
determination based on the competitive Judgment is in the public interest.
impact statement and response to public Judgment is hereby entered in this
matter in favor of Plaintiff United States Dated: lllllllllllllllll
comments alone. U.S. Airways, 38 F. lllllllllllllllllllll
Supp. 3d at 76. of America and against Defendant, and,
pursuant to Section 7A(g)(1) of the United States District Judge
VIII. Determinative Documents Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1), the [FR Doc. 2016–26782 Filed 11–4–16; 8:45 am]
Debt Collection Improvement Act of BILLING CODE
There are no determinative materials 1996, Public Law 104–134 § 31001(s)
or documents within the meaning of the (amending the Federal Civil Penalties
APPA that were considered by the Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
United States in formulating the U.S.C. 2461), and Federal Trade
proposed Final Judgment. [OMB Number 1105–0086]
Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR 1.98, 61
Date: October 27, 2016 FR 54549 (Oct. 21, 1996), and 74 FR 857 Agency Information Collection
Respectfully Submitted, (Jan. 9, 2009), and the Federal Civil Activities; Proposed eCollection
/s/ Kenneth A. Libby Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act eComments Requested; Proposed
Kenneth A. Libby, Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law Renewal, With Change, of a Previously
Special Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, 114–74 § 701 (further amending the Approved Collection Attorney Student
Antitrust Division, c/o Federal Trade Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Loan Repayment Program Electronic
Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Adjustment Act of 1990), and Federal Forms
Washington, DC 20580, Phone: (202) 326– Trade Commission Rule 1.98, 16 CFR
2694, Email: klibby@ftc.gov. 1.98, 81 FR 42,476 (June 30, 2016), AGENCY: Department of Justice.
United States District Court for the Defendant Fayez Sarofim is hereby ACTION: CORRECTED 30 day notice.
District of Columbia ordered to pay a civil penalty in the
amount of seven hundred twenty SUMMARY: The Department of Justice
United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Fayez thousand dollars ($720,000). Payment of (DOJ), Justice Management Division,
Sarofim, Defendant. the civil penalty ordered hereby shall be Office of Attorney Recruitment and
Case No.: 1:16–cv–02156 made by wire transfer of funds or Management (OARM), will be
Judge: Rudolph Contreras cashier’s check. If the payment is made submitting the following information
Filed: 10/27/2016 by wire transfer, Defendant shall contact collection request to the Office of
Janie Ingalls of the Antitrust Division’s Management and Budget (OMB) for
Final Judgment review and approval in accordance with
Antitrust Documents Group at (202)
Plaintiff, the United States of 514–2481 for instructions before making the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
America, having commenced this action the transfer. If the payment is made by This proposed information collection
by filing its Complaint herein for cashier’s check, the check shall be made was previously published in the Federal
violation of Section 7A of the Clayton payable to the United States Department Register at 81 FR 54604 on August 16,
Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a, commonly known as of Justice and delivered to: Janie Ingalls, 2016, allowing for a 60 day comment
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust United States Department of Justice, period.
Improvements Act of 1976, and Plaintiff Antitrust Division, Antitrust Documents DATES: Comments are encouraged and
and Defendant Fayez Sarofim, by their Group, 450 5th Street NW., Suite 1024, will be accepted for an additional 30
respective attorneys, having consented Washington, DC 20530. days until December 7, 2016.
to the entry of this Final Judgment Defendant shall pay the full amount FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
without trial or adjudication of any of the civil penalty within thirty (30) Written comments and/or suggestions
issue of fact or law herein, and without days of entry of this Final Judgment. In regarding the item(s) contained in this
this Final Judgment constituting any the event of a default or delay in notice, especially regarding the
evidence against or an admission by the payment, interest at the rate of eighteen estimated public burden and associated
Defendant with respect to any such (18) percent per annum shall accrue response time, should be directed to the
issue: thereon from the date of the default or U.S. Department of Justice, Office of
Now therefore, before the taking of delay to the date of payment. Attorney Recruitment and Management,
any testimony and without trial or III. 450 5th Street NW., Suite 10200, Attn:
adjudication of any issue of fact or law Deana Willis, Washington, DC 20530 or
herein, and upon the consent of the Each party shall bear its own costs of sent to Deana.Willis@usdoj.gov. Written
parties hereto, it is hereby this action. comments and/or suggestions can also
Ordered, adjudged, and decreed: be sent to the Office of Management and
IV.
Budget, Office of Information and
I. The entry of this Final Judgment is in Regulatory Affairs, Attention
the public interest. The parties have Department of Justice Desk Officer,
The Court has jurisdiction of the Washington, DC 20503 or sent to OIRA_
complied with the requirements of the
subject matter of this action and of the submissions@omb.eop.gov.
Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act,
Plaintiff and the Defendant. The
15 U.S.C. 16, including making copies SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written
Complaint states a claim upon which
available to the public of this Final comments and suggestions from the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
relief can be granted against the
Judgment, the Competitive Impact public and affected agencies concerning
Defendant under Section 7A of the
Statement, and any comments thereon the proposed collection of information
Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a.
and the United States’ responses to are encouraged. Your comments should
comments. Based upon the record address one or more of the following
93–298, at 6 (1973) (‘‘Where the public interest can
be meaningfully evaluated simply on the basis of
before the Court, which includes the four points:
briefs and oral arguments, that is the approach that Competitive Impact Statement and any (1) Evaluate whether the proposed
should be utilized.’’). comments and response to comments collection of information is necessary
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:21:27
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:21:27
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Dates | October 27, 2016 | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 78201 |
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