Attorney General William Tong has announced a settlement with two asphalt paving companies, B & W Paving & Landscaping, LLC and Advance Resources, LLC, along with their principals. The settlement resolves an investigation into alleged bid-rigging on a state paving contract that began in early 2023. This investigation was conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and found that the companies shared sensitive pricing information to pre-coordinate winning bids.
"The alleged actions of these asphalt paving companies and their principals were a blatant attempt to rig the bidding process and manipulate the market for public contracts. Bid-rigging illegally eliminates competition-- hurting consumers and taxpayers alike. We will continue to aggressively protect the integrity of our state procurement system and will hold those who distort the marketplace accountable," stated Attorney General Tong.
The settlement requires B & W Paving & Landscaping, LLC and Advance Resources, LLC to pay $216,454 in civil penalties to the state. An additional $144,302 is deferred provided they comply fully with the agreement's terms. The agreement also stipulates that Advance Resources will be divested and dissolved while B & W Paving agrees to implement an antitrust compliance program to prevent future violations. Furthermore, B & W has committed to cooperating with any future antitrust investigations.
Individuals with information about bid rigging or other anticompetitive practices are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Antitrust Section at (860) 808-5354 or via email at ag.antitrustcomplaints@ct.gov.
Assistant Attorney General Julián Quiñones, Investigators Timothy Edwards and Robert Shreders, as well as Deputy Associate Attorney General Nicole Demers, Chief of the Antitrust Section, supported Attorney General Tong in this case.