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FILED
FEB
19 2009
NANCY
MAYER WHITTING, CLERK
US DISTRICT COURT
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
v.
LAN CARGO S.A., and
AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A.,
Defendants.
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Criminal No. 1:09-cr-00015-JDB
Filed: Feb. 19, 2009
Violation: 15 U.S.C. §1 (Sherman Act)
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PLEA AGREEMENT
The United States of America and LAN Cargo S.A. (hereafter "LAN Cargo")
and Aerolinhas Brasileiras S.A. (hereafter "ABSA") (collectively "Defendants"),
corporations organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of
Chile and the Federative Republic of Brazil respectively, hereby enter
into the following Plea Agreement pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(C) of the
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure ("Fed. R. Crim. P."):
RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS
- The Defendants understand their rights:
- to be represented by an attorney;
- to be charged by Indictment;
- as corporations organized and existing under the laws of the
Republic of Chile and the Federative Republic of Brazil, to decline
to accept service of the Summons in this case, and to contest
the jurisdiction of the United States to prosecute this case against
it in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia;
- to plead not guilty to any criminal charge brought against
them;
- to have a trial by jury, at which they would be presumed not
guilty of the charge and the United States would have to prove
every essential element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable
doubt for them to be found guilty;
- to confront and cross-examine witnesses against them and to
subpoena witnesses in their defense at trial;
- to appeal their conviction if they are found guilty; and
- to appeal the imposition of a sentence against them.
AGREEMENT TO PLEAD GUILTY
AND WAIVE CERTAIN RIGHTS
- The Defendants knowingly and voluntarily waive the rights set out
in Paragraph 1(b)-(g) above, including all jurisdictional defenses
to the prosecution of this case, and agree voluntarily to consent
to the jurisdiction of the United States to prosecute this case against
them in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The Defendants also agree to waive any objection or defense they may
have to the prosecution of the charged offense in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia based on venue. The Defendants
also knowingly and voluntarily waive the right to file any appeal,
any collateral attack, or any other writ or motion, including but
not limited to an appeal under 18 U.S.C. § 3742, that challenges
the sentence imposed by the Court if that sentence is consistent with
or below the recommended sentence in Paragraph 8 of this Plea Agreement,
regardless of how the sentence is determined by the Court. This agreement
does not affect the rights or obligations of the United States as
set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3742(b) and (c). Nothing in this paragraph,
however, shall act as a bar to the defendant perfecting any legal
remedies they may otherwise have on appeal or collateral attack respecting
claims of ineffective assistance of counsel or prosecutorial misconduct.
Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b), the Defendants will waive indictment
and plead guilty at arraignment to a one-count Information to be filed
in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
The Information will charge the Defendants with participating in a
combination and conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by
fixing the cargo rates charged to customers for international air
shipments, including to and from the United States, from in or about
February 2003 until at least February 14, 2006, in violation of the
Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1.
- The Defendants, pursuant to the terms of this Plea Agreement, will
plead guilty to the criminal charge described in Paragraph 2 above
and will make a factual admission of guilt to the Court in accordance
with Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, as set forth in Paragraph 4 below.
FACTUAL BASIS FOR OFFENSES CHARGED
- Had this case gone to trial, the United States would have presented
evidence sufficient to prove the following facts against Defendants:
- For purposes of this Plea Agreement, the "relevant period" is
that period from in or about February 2003 until at least February
14, 2006. During the relevant period, the Defendants were affiliated
corporations. LAN Cargo is organized and existing under the laws
of the Republic of Chile with its principal place of business
in Miami, Florida. ABSA is organized and existing under the laws
of the Federative Republic of Brazil with its principal place
of business in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. During the relevant
period, LAN Cargo had a substantial ownership interest in ABSA
and certain ABSA employees reported to high-level LAN Cargo employees.
During the relevant period, the Defendants provided international
air transportation services for cargo ("air cargo services") on
routes to and from the United States and employed more than 200
individuals. For purposes of this Plea Agreement, "air cargo services"
shall mean the shipment by air transportation for any portion
of transit of any good, property, mail, product, container or
item, such as heavy equipment, perishable commodities including
flowers and produce, and consumer goods. For their air cargo services,
the Defendants charged their customers a price that consisted
of a base rate (including peak-season rates such as Valentine's
Day and Mother's Day peak-season rates) and, at times during the
relevant period, various surcharges, such as fuel surcharges (including
post-Hurricane Katrina surcharges). The amount of the base rate
charged by the Defendants could vary based on the type and weight
of the shipment, the origin and/or destination of the shipment,
and the nature of the goods or products being shipped. The base
rate and surcharges charged by the Defendants to customers for
air cargo services are collectively referred to herein as the
"cargo rate." During the relevant period, Defendant LAN Cargo's
sales of air cargo services from the United States totaled approximately
$269 million and Defendant ABSA's sales of air cargo services
from the United States totaled approximately $65 million. The
total affected volume of commerce for both Defendants combined
is approximately $334 million.
- During the relevant period, the Defendants, through their officers
and employees, including high-level personnel of the Defendants'
cargo divisions, participated in a conspiracy with one or more
providers of air cargo services, a primary purpose of which was
to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing one or more components
of the cargo rates charged to customers for certain air cargo
services. In furtherance of the conspiracy, the Defendants, through
their officers and employees, engaged in discussions and attended
meetings with representatives of one or more providers of air
cargo services. During these discussions and meetings, agreements
were reached to fix one or more components of the cargo rates
to be charged to purchasers of certain air cargo services.
- During the relevant period, certain air cargo shipments provided
by one or more of the conspirator carriers, and aircraft necessary
to transport the air cargo shipments, as well as payments for
the air cargo shipments, traveled in interstate and foreign commerce.
The business activities of the Defendants and their co-conspirators
in connection with the sale and provision of air cargo services
affected by this conspiracy were within the flow of, and substantially
affected, interstate and foreign trade and commerce.
POSSIBLE MAXIMUM SENTENCE
- The Defendants understand that the statutory maximum penalty which
may be imposed against each of them upon conviction for a violation
of Section One of the Sherman Antitrust Act is a fine in an amount
equal to the greatest of:
- $100 million (15 U.S.C. § 1);
- twice the gross pecuniary gain the conspirators derived from
the crime (18 U.S.C. § 3571(c) and (d)); or
- twice the gross pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the
crime by the conspirators (18 U.S.C. § 3571(c)
and (d)).
- In addition, the Defendants understand that:
- pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3561(c)(1), the Court
may impose on each of them a term of probation of at least one
year, but not more than five years;
- pursuant to §8B1.1 of the United States Sentencing Guidelines
("U.S.S.G.," "Sentencing Guidelines," or "Guidelines") or 18 U.S.C.
§ 3563(b)(2) or 3663(a)(3), the Court may order each of them
to pay restitution to the victims of the offense; and
- pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(B), the Court is
required to order the Defendants to each pay a $400 special assessment
upon conviction for the charged crime.
SENTENCING GUIDELINES
- The Defendants understand that the Sentencing Guidelines are advisory,
not mandatory, but that the Court must consider the Guidelines in
effect on the day of sentencing, along with the other factors set
forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), in determining and imposing sentence.
The Defendants understand that the Guidelines determinations will
be made by the Court by a preponderance of the evidence standard.
The Defendants understand that although the Court is not ultimately
bound to impose a sentence within the applicable Guidelines range,
its sentence must be reasonable based upon consideration of all relevant
sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). Pursuant
to U.S.S.G. §1B1.8, the United States agrees that self-incriminating
information that the Defendants, their subsidiaries, and cooperating
officers and employees have provided and will provide to the United
States pursuant to this Plea Agreement will not be
used to increase the volume of affected commerce attributable to the
Defendants or in determining the Defendants' applicable Guidelines
range, except to the extent provided in U.S.S.G. §1B1.8(b).
SENTENCING AGREEMENT
- Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1)(C), the United States and
the Defendants agree that the appropriate disposition of this case
is, and agree to recommend jointly that the Court impose, a sentence
requiring the Defendants to pay to the United States a single criminal
fine of $109 million, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3571(d), to be
paid, pursuant to U.S.S.G. §8C3.2(b), in installments with interest
accruing under 18 U.S.C. § 3612(f)(1)-(2) as follows: within
fifteen (15) days of imposition of sentence -- $19 million; at the
one-year anniversary of imposition of sentence ("anniversary") --
$18 million; at the two-year anniversary -- $18 million; at the three-year
anniversary -- $18 million; at the four-year anniversary -- $18 million;
and at the five-year anniversary -- $18 million; provided, however,
that the Defendants shall have the option at any time before the five-year
anniversary of prepaying the remaining balance then owing on the fine
( "the recommended sentence"). Based on the revenue figures listed
in Paragraph 4(a), the United States and the Defendants agree that
Defendant LAN Cargo's attributable portion of the total fine is $88
million and Defendant ABSA's attributable portion of the total fine
is $21 million. The parties agree that there exists no aggravating
or mitigating circumstance of a kind, or to a degree, not adequately
taken into consideration by the U.S. Sentencing Commission in formulating
the Sentencing Guidelines justifying a departure pursuant to U.S.S.G.
§5K2.0. The parties agree not to seek or support any sentence
outside of the Guidelines range nor any Guidelines adjustment for
any reason that is not set forth in this Plea Agreement. The parties
further agree that the recommended sentence set forth in this Plea
Agreement is reasonable.
Guidelines Analysis
- Pursuant to U.S.S.G. §8C2.5, the Defendants' culpability
score is 6. This number is calculated by starting with 5 points,
pursuant to U.S.S.G. §8C2.5(a); adding 3 points because the
organization had more than 200 but less than 1,000 employees and
an individual within high-level personnel of the organization participated
in, condoned or was willfully ignorant of the offense, pursuant
to U.S.S.G. §8C2.5(b)(3)(A)(i); and subtracting 2 points because
the Defendants fully cooperated in the investigation and clearly
demonstrated recognition and affirmative acceptance of responsibility
for their criminal conduct, pursuant to U.S.S.G. §8C2.5(g)(2).
Accordingly, the minimum multiplier to be applied to the base fine
is 1.2 and the maximum multiplier is 2.4, pursuant to U.S.S.G. §8C2.6.
- The base fine is 20% of the volume of commerce, pursuant to U.S.S.G.
§2R1.1(d)(1) and §8C2.4(a) and (b). The parties agree
that the affected volume of commerce attributable to the Defendants
for purposes of the Information is $334 million, adjusted to reflect
information provided to the United States pursuant to U.S.S.G. §1B1.8.
The base fine for relevant air cargo shipments from the United States
is $66.8 million (20% of $334 million). Applying the multipliers
of 1.2 and 2.4 to this amount, the fine range for the relevant air
cargo shipments from the United States is between $80.2 million
and $160.3 million.
- The volume of affected commerce calculation in paragraph 8(b)
above does not include commerce related to the Defendants' cargo
shipments on routes into the United States. The Defendants take
the position that any agreements reached with competitors with respect
to cargo shipments on routes into the United States should not be
included in the Defendants' volume of affected commerce calculation
pursuant to U.S.S.G. §2R1.1(d)(1). The United States disputes
the Defendants' position and contends that the Defendants' cargo
shipments on routes into the United States during the charged conspiracy
period violated the U.S. antitrust laws. Moreover, the United States
asserts that a Guidelines fine calculation that fails to account
for cargo shipments into the United States affected by the conspiracy
charged in the Information would understate the seriousness of,
and the harm caused to U.S. victims by, the offense and would not
provide just punishment.
- The parties recognize the complexity of litigating the issues
set forth in Paragraph 8(c) and the resulting burden on judicial
and party resources, and agree that the appropriate resolution of
this issue is to impose a fine in the lower half of the Guidelines
sentencing range, notwithstanding the early cooperation and substantial
assistance provided by the Defendants in this matter, in order to
reflect commerce attributable to cargo shipments on routes into
the United States. The parties agree that the appropriate fine for
the commerce affected by Defendants' participation in the charged
conspiracy is $109 million payable as set forth in paragraph 8 above,
with $88 million attributable to Defendant LAN Cargo and $21 million
attributable to Defendant ABSA.
- The Defendants understand that the Court will order them each
to pay a $400 special assessment, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(B),
in addition to any fine imposed.
- Based on the Defendants' substantial assistance, all parties will
recommend that no term of probation be imposed, but the Defendants
understand that the Court's denial of this request will not void
this Plea Agreement.
- The United States and the Defendants jointly submit that this
Plea Agreement, together with the record that will be created by
the United States and the Defendants at the plea and sentencing
hearings, and the further disclosure described in Paragraph 9, will
provide sufficient information concerning the Defendants, the crime
charged in this case, and the Defendants' role in the crime to enable
the meaningful exercise of sentencing authority by the Court under
18 U.S.C. § 3553. The United States and Defendants agree
to request jointly that the Court accept the Defendants' guilty
plea and impose sentence on an expedited schedule as early as the
date of arraignment, based upon the record provided by the Defendants
and the United States, under the provisions of Fed. R. Crim. P.
32(c)(1)(A)(ii) and U.S.S.G. §6A1.1. The Court's denial of
the request to impose sentence on an expedited schedule will not
void this Plea Agreement.
- The United States contends that had this case gone to trial, the
United States would have presented evidence to prove that the gain
derived from or the loss resulting from the charged offense is sufficient
to justify the recommended sentence set forth in this paragraph,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3571(d). For purposes of this plea
and sentencing only, the defendants waive their right to contest
this calculation.
- Subject to the ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of the Defendants
described in Paragraph 12 of this Plea Agreement, and before sentencing
in the case, the United States will fully advise the Court and the
Probation Office of the fact, manner, and extent of the Defendants'
cooperation and their commitment to prospective cooperation with the
United States' investigation and prosecutions, all material facts
relating to the Defendants' involvement in the charged offense, and
all other relevant conduct.
- The United States and the Defendants understand that the Court retains
complete discretion to accept or reject the recommended sentence provided
for in Paragraph 8 of this Plea Agreement.
- If the Court does not accept the recommended sentence, the United
States and the Defendants agree that this Plea Agreement, except
for Paragraph 10(b) below, shall be rendered void.
- If the Court does not accept the recommended sentence, the Defendants
will be free to withdraw their guilty pleas (Fed. R. Crim. P.
11(c)(5) and (d)). If the Defendants withdraw their pleas of guilty,
this Plea Agreement, the guilty pleas, and any statement made
in the course of any proceedings under Fed. R. Crim. P. 11 regarding
the guilty pleas or this Plea Agreement or made in the course
of plea discussions with an attorney for the government shall
not be admissible against the Defendants in any criminal or civil
proceeding, except as otherwise provided in Fed. R. Evid. 410.
In addition, the Defendants agree that, if they withdraw their
guilty pleas pursuant to this subparagraph of the Plea Agreement,
the statute of limitations period for any offense referred to
in Paragraph 14 of this Plea Agreement shall be tolled for the
period between the date of the signing of the Plea Agreement and
the date the Defendants withdrew their guilty pleas or for a period
of sixty (60) days after the date of the signing of the Plea Agreement,
whichever period is greater.
- In light of pending civil class action lawsuits filed against the
Defendants, which potentially provide for a recovery of a multiple
of actual damages, the United States agrees that it will not seek
a restitution order for the offense charged in the Information.
DEFENDANTS' COOPERATION
- The Defendants and their subsidiaries will cooperate fully and
truthfully with the United States in the prosecution of this case,
the conduct of the current federal investigation of violations of
federal antitrust and related criminal laws involving the sale of
air cargo services, any other federal investigation resulting therefrom,
and any litigation or other proceedings arising or resulting from
such investigation to which the United States is a party ("Federal
Proceeding"). The ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of the Defendants
and their subsidiaries shall include, but not be limited to:
- producing to the United States all non-privileged documents,
information, and other materials (with translations into English),
wherever located, in the possession, custody, or control of the
Defendants or any of their subsidiaries, requested by the United
States in connection with any Federal Proceeding; and
- using their best efforts to secure the ongoing, full, and truthful
cooperation, as defined in Paragraph 13 of this Plea Agreement,
of the current and former directors, officers, and employees of
the Defendants or any of their subsidiaries (including any current
or former employee of LAN Cargo's parent corporation, or any of
its parent corporation's subsidiaries, whose primary responsibilities
related to the sale of air cargo services for the Defendants)
as may be requested by the United States but excluding
Armando Valdivieso, Roberto Bianchi, Alvaro Carril, Claudio Silva,
and Tomas Silva including making these persons available
in the United States and at other mutually agreed-upon locations,
at the Defendants' expense, for interviews and the provision of
testimony in grand jury, trial, and other judicial proceedings
in connection with any Federal Proceeding.
- The ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of each person described
in Paragraph 12(b) above will be subject to the procedures and protections
of this paragraph, and shall include, but not be limited to:
- producing in the United States and at other mutually agreed-upon
locations all non-privileged documents, including claimed personal
documents, and other materials, wherever located, requested by
attorneys and agents of the United States in connection with any
Federal Proceeding;
- making himself or herself available for interviews in the United
States and at other mutually agreed-upon locations, not at the
expense of the United States, upon the request of attorneys and
agents of the United States;
- responding fully and truthfully to all inquiries of the United
States in connection with any Federal Proceeding, without falsely
implicating any person or intentionally withholding any information,
subject to the penalties of making false statements (18 U.S.C.
§ 1001) and obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503,
et seq.);
- otherwise voluntarily providing the United States with any non-privileged
material or information not requested in (a) - (c) of this paragraph
that he or she may have that is related to any Federal Proceeding;
- when called upon to do so by the United States in connection
with any Federal Proceeding, testifying in grand jury, trial,
and other judicial proceedings in the United States fully, truthfully,
and under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury (18 U.S.C.
§ 1621), making false statements or declarations in
grand jury or court proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623), contempt
(18 U.S.C. §§ 401-402), and obstruction of justice (18
U.S.C. § 1503, et seq.); and
- agreeing that, if the agreement not to prosecute him or her
in this Plea Agreement is rendered void under Paragraph 15(c),
the statute of limitations period for any Relevant Offense as
defined in Paragraph 15(a) shall be tolled as to him or her for
the period between the date of the signing of this Plea Agreement
and six (6) months after the date that the United States gave
notice of its intent to void its obligations to that person under
the Plea Agreement.
GOVERNMENT'S AGREEMENT
- Upon acceptance of the guilty plea called for by this Plea Agreement
and the imposition of the recommended sentence, and subject to the
cooperation requirements of Paragraph 12 of this Plea Agreement, the
United States agrees that it will not bring further criminal charges
against the Defendants or any of their subsidiaries for any act or
offense committed before the date of this Plea Agreement that was
undertaken in furtherance of an antitrust conspiracy involving the
sale of air cargo services. The nonprosecution terms of this paragraph
do not apply to civil matters of any kind, to any violation of the
federal tax or securities laws, or to any crime of violence. The Defendants
understand that this Plea Agreement does not limit the ability of
the United States to prosecute any company in which LAN Cargo had
an ownership interest that ended prior to the date of this Agreement,
for any involvement such company may have had in an antitrust conspiracy
involving the sale of air transportation services or for any other
offense.
- The United States agrees to the following:
- Upon the Court's acceptance of the guilty plea called for by
this Plea Agreement and the imposition of the recommended sentence
and subject to the exceptions noted in Paragraph 15(c), the
United States will not bring criminal charges against any current
or former director, officer, or employee of the Defendants or
their subsidiaries (or against any current or former employee
of LAN Cargo's parent corporation, or any of its parent corporation's
subsidiaries, whose primary responsibilities related to the sale
of air cargo services for the Defendants), for any act or offense
committed before the date of this Plea Agreement and while that
person was acting as a director, officer, or employee of the Defendants
or their subsidiaries that was undertaken in furtherance of an
antitrust conspiracy involving the sale of air cargo services
("Relevant Offense"), except that the protections granted in this
paragraph shall not apply to Armando Valdivieso, Roberto Bianchi,
Alvaro Carril, Claudio Silva, and Tomas Silva;
- Should the United States determine that any current or former
director, officer, or employee of the Defendants or their subsidiaries
may have information relevant to any Federal Proceeding, the United
States may request that person's cooperation under the terms of
this Plea Agreement by written request delivered to counsel for
the individual (with a copy to the undersigned counsel for the
Defendants) or, if the individual is not known by the United States
to be represented, to the undersigned counsel for the Defendants;
- If any person requested to provide cooperation under Paragraph
15(b) fails to comply with his or her obligations under Paragraph
13, then the terms of this Plea Agreement as they pertain to that
person, and the agreement not to prosecute that person granted
in this Plea Agreement, shall be rendered void;
- Except as provided in Paragraph 15(e), information provided
by a person described in Paragraph 15(b) to the United States
under the terms of this Plea Agreement pertaining to any Relevant
Offense, or any information directly or indirectly derived from
that information, may not be used against that person in a criminal
case, except in a prosecution for perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621),
making a false statement or declaration (18 U.S.C. §§
1001, 1623), or obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503,
et seq.);
- If any person who provides information to the United States
under this Plea Agreement fails to comply fully with his or her
obligations under Paragraph 13 of this Plea Agreement, the
agreement in Paragraph 15(d) not to use that information or any
information directly or indirectly derived from it against that
person in a criminal case shall be rendered void;
- The nonprosecution terms of this paragraph do not apply to civil
matters of any kind, to any violation of the federal tax or securities
laws, or to any crime of violence; and
- Documents provided under Paragraphs 12(a) and 13(a) shall be
deemed responsive to outstanding grand jury subpoenas issued to
the Defendants or any of their subsidiaries.
- The United States agrees that when any person travels to the United
States for interviews, grand jury appearances, or court appearances
pursuant to this Plea Agreement, or for meetings with counsel in preparation
therefor, the United States will take no action, based upon any Relevant
Offense, to subject such person to arrest, detention, or service of
process, or to prevent such person from departing the United States.
This paragraph does not apply to an individual's commission of perjury
(18 U.S.C. § 1621), making false statements (18 U.S.C. §
1001), making false statements or declarations in grand jury or court
proceedings (18 U.S.C. § 1623), obstruction of justice (18
U.S.C. § 1503, et seq.), or contempt (18 U.S.C. §§
401-402) in connection with any testimony or information provided
or requested in any Federal Proceeding.
- The Defendants understand that they may be subject to administrative
action by federal or state agencies other than the United States Department
of Justice, Antitrust Division, based upon the convictions resulting
from this Plea Agreement, and that this Plea Agreement in no way controls
whatever action, if any, other agencies may take. However, the United
States agrees that, if requested, it will advise the appropriate officials
of any governmental agency considering such administrative action
of the fact, manner, and extent of the cooperation of the Defendants
and their subsidiaries as a matter for that agency to consider before
determining what administrative action, if any, to take.
REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL
- The Defendants have been represented by counsel and are fully satisfied
that their attorneys have provided competent legal representation.
The Defendants have thoroughly reviewed this Plea Agreement and acknowledge
that their counsel have advised them of the nature of the charges,
any possible defenses to the charges, and the nature and range of
possible sentences.
VOLUNTARY PLEA
- The Defendants' decisions to enter into this Plea Agreement and
to tender a plea of guilty are freely and voluntarily made and are
not the result of force, threats, assurances, promises, or representations
other than the representations contained in this Plea Agreement. The
United States has made no promises or representations to the Defendants
as to whether the Court will accept or reject the recommendations
contained within this Plea Agreement.
VIOLATION OF PLEA AGREEMENT
- The Defendants agree that, should the United States determine in
good faith, during the period that any Federal Proceeding is pending,
that the Defendants or any of their subsidiaries have failed to provide
full and truthful cooperation, as described in Paragraph 12 of this
Plea Agreement, or have otherwise violated any provision of this Plea
Agreement, the United States will notify counsel for the Defendants
in writing by personal or overnight delivery or facsimile transmission
and may also notify counsel by telephone of its intention to void
any of their obligations under this Plea Agreement (except its obligations
under this paragraph), and the Defendants and their subsidiaries shall
be subject to prosecution for any federal crime of which the United
States has knowledge including, but not limited to, the substantive
offenses relating to the investigation resulting in this Plea Agreement.
The Defendants and their subsidiaries agree that, in the event that
the United States is released from its obligations under this Plea
Agreement and brings criminal charges against the Defendants or their
subsidiaries for any offense referred to in Paragraph 14 of this Plea
Agreement, the statute of limitations period for such offense shall
be tolled for the period between the date of the signing of this Plea
Agreement and six (6) months after the date the United States gave
notice of its intent to void its obligations under this Plea Agreement.
- The Defendants understand and agree that in any further prosecution
of them or their subsidiaries resulting from the release of the United
States from its obligations under this Plea Agreement, because of
the Defendants' or their subsidiaries' violation of the Plea Agreement,
any documents, statements, information, testimony, or evidence provided
by them, their subsidiaries, or current or former directors, officers,
or employees of them or their subsidiaries to attorneys or agents
of the United States, federal grand juries, or courts, and any leads
derived therefrom, may be used against them or their subsidiaries
in any such further prosecution. In addition, the Defendants unconditionally
waive their right to challenge the use of such evidence in any such
further prosecution, notwithstanding the protections of Fed. R. Evid.
410.
ENTIRETY OF AGREEMENT
- This Plea Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
United States and the Defendants concerning the disposition of the
criminal charge in this case. This Plea Agreement cannot be modified
except in writing, signed by the United States and the Defendants.
- The undersigned are authorized to enter this Plea Agreement on behalf
of the Defendants as evidenced by the Resolutions of the Boards of
Directors of the Defendants attached to, and incorporated by reference
in, this Plea Agreement.
- The undersigned attorneys for the United States have been authorized
by the Attorney General of the United States to enter this Plea Agreement
on behalf of the United States.
- A facsimile signature shall be deemed an original signature for
the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement. Multiple signature pages
are authorized for the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement.
DATED: January 21, 2009
BY: _______________________________
LAN CARGO S.A.
By: Cristian Ureta
Its: President and CEO
BY: _______________________________
AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A. Antitrust Division
By: Luciano Ghelardi
Its: General Counsel
BY: _______________/s/________________
James V. Dick
Marshall S. Sinick
Squire Sanders
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 626-6600
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BY: _______________/s/________________
Mark R. Rosman, Assistant Chief
Mark C. Grundvig, Trial Attorney
Brent Snyder, Trial Attorney
Elizabeth Aloi, Trial Attorney
Kathryn M. Hellings, Trial Attorney
Carsten Reichel, Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
450 5th Street, N.W.
Suite 11300
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tel.: (202) 307-6694
Fax: (202) 514-6525
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Counsel for LAN CARGO S.A. and AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A.
25. A facsimile signature shall be deemed an original signature for
the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement. Multiple signature pages
are authorized for the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement.
DATED: January 21, 2009
BY: _______________/s/________________
LAN CARGO S.A.
By: Cristian Ureta
Its: President and CEO
BY: _______________________________
AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A. Antitrust Division
By: Luciano Ghelardi
Its: General Counsel
BY: _______________/s/________________
James V. Dick
Marshall S. Sinick
Squire Sanders
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 626-6600
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BY: _______________/s/________________
Mark R. Rosman, Assistant Chief
Mark C. Grundvig, Trial Attorney
Brent Snyder, Trial Attorney
Elizabeth Aloi, Trial Attorney
Kathryn M. Hellings, Trial Attorney
Carsten Reichel, Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
450 5th Street, N.W.
Suite 11300
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tel.: (202) 307-6694
Fax: (202) 514-6525
|
Counsel for LAN CARGO S.A. and AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A.
25. A facsimile signature shall be deemed an original signature for
the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement. Multiple signature pages
are authorized for the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement.
DATED: January 21, 2009
BY: _______________________________
LAN CARGO S.A.
By: Cristian Ureta
Its: President and CEO
BY: _______________/s/________________
AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A. Antitrust Division
By: Luciano Ghelardi
Its: General Counsel
BY: _______________/s/________________
James V. Dick
Marshall S. Sinick
Squire Sanders
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 626-6600
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BY: _______________/s/________________
Mark R. Rosman, Assistant Chief
Mark C. Grundvig, Trial Attorney
Brent Snyder, Trial Attorney
Elizabeth Aloi, Trial Attorney
Kathryn M. Hellings, Trial Attorney
Carsten Reichel, Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
450 5th Street, N.W.
Suite 11300
Washington, D.C. 20530
Tel.: (202) 307-6694
Fax: (202) 514-6525
|
Counsel for LAN CARGO S.A. and AEROLINHAS BRASILEIRAS S.A.
LAN CARGO S.A.
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION
That, as detailed in the
minute of the meeting of the Board of Directors of Lan Cargo SA held
on January 20, 2009 (the "Board Minute"):
- Entry into a Plea Agreement
between the United States of America and Lan Cargo SA in substantially
the form attached hereto;
- Mr. Cristian Ureta is
authorised to execute the Plea Agreement on behalf of Lan Cargo SA;
and
- Mr. Juan Carlos Mendo
is authorised to appear in the U.S. District Court to represent Lan
Cargo SA and to enter a guilty plea on behalf of Lan Cargo SA
CERTIFICATION
I, Cristian Toro, Secretary
of the Board of Directors of Lan Cargo SA, hereby certifies that:
- I am the Secretary of
the Board of Directors of Lan Cargo SA, a company duly incorporated
in the Republic of Chile with its registered office situated at Avda.
Presidente Riesco 5711, 11th Floor, Santiago, Chile; and
- The foregoing is a full,
true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of Lan Cargo SA at a Meeting held in accordance with the
by-laws of Lan Cargo SA and that said Resolution has not been rescinded
or revoked.
Signed at Santiago, Chile,
this twentieth day of January, 2009, in the presence of:
_______________/s/________________
Cristian Toro
Secretary
_______________/s/________________
Signature of witness
Ignacio Bunster_____________________
Name of Witness
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COLEGIADA
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JUCESP
050209
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JUCESP
PROTOCOLO 0.082.343/09-3 |
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ABSA - AEROLINHAS BRASIL~.LKAS S.A.,
CNPJ/MF N.O 00.074.635/0001-33
NIRE N.O 35.300.160.061
ATA DE ASSEMBLEIA GERAL EXTRAODINARIA
Em campinas no dia 21 de Janeiro de 2009, ás 10 horas, na sede
social da companhia, situada no Aeroporto Internacional de Viracopos,
Rodovia Santos Dumont Km 66, cumpridas as formalidades convócatorias,
reuniram-se em Assembléia Geral Extraordinária sob a presidência
de Norberto Maria Jochmann tendo como secretario Dr. Luciano de Almeida
Ghelardi.
Aberta a sessão realizada a chamada e convocação,
foi constatado pelo presidente a presen~a da totalidade do capital social
subscrito e integralizado com e sem direito a voto, representada por
seus secios acionistas conforme assinaturas apostas no livro de presença
de acionistas.
Foram submetidas á discussão e votação
dos senhores acionistas e, por estes aprovados por unanimidade, as seguintes
matérias
- ACORDO COM 0 DEPARTAMENTO DE JUSTI~A DOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DAAMERICA.
O Presidente informou aos demais que a matéria a ser discutida
e aprovada na presente sessão refere-se a assinatura de urn acordo
por parte da ABSA - Aerolinhas Brasileiras SA, denominado "Plea Agreement",
com o Departamento de Justiça dos Estados Unidos da América,
relacionado com a investigação realizada pelo "DOJ", naquele
país que alega que a Companhia em seus negócios de carga
violou a lei de livre concorrência Shermann Act, estabelecendo
praticas de fixção de preços de uma taxa atrelada
ao carregamento de combustível (fuel surcharge) e outras cobranças.
O presidente procedeu á leitura de uma minuta do acordo e sem
seguida explicou detalhadamente aos demais todos os seus antecedentes,
esclarecendo todas as duvidas que foram suscitadas pelos presentes,
inclusive as relacionadas a valores, forma e prazo para pagamento da
multa estabelecida e mencionada no "Plea Agreement".
Restou advertido aos presentes, que a melhor alternativa para os interesses
da companhia é a celebração e assinatura do presente
acordo denominado "Plea Agreement. "
- DELIBERA~OES DA ASSEMBLEIA
Após um extenso debate, os presentes por unanimidade ACORDARAM
o que segue:
Aprovar a firma por parte da companhia com 0 Departamento de Justiça
dos Estados Unidos da América de um acordo denominado "Plea
Agreement", dentro dos termos nele previstos e amplamente expostos
e debatidos nesta sessão;
Facultar ao Dr. Luciano de Almeida Ghelardi, atuar na qualidade de
Representante Legal da ABSA e a proceder á assinatura do presente
acordo denominado "Plea Agreement", bem como quaisquer outros
documentos acessórios que possa ser exigido pelo Departamento
de Justiça dos EUA.
Facultar ao Dr. Luciano de Almeida Ghelardi para atuando individualmente
comparecer em nome e representação de ABSA – Aerolinhas
Brasileiras SA, perante quaisquer Tribunais Federais dos Estados Unidos
da América, em tantas audiências quanta forem necessárias,
podendo firmar quaisquer espécie de documentos solicitados pela
Autoridade Americana, ou pelo Departamento de Justiça, para a
aprovação judicial do acordo denominado "Plea Agreement".
A presente ata após lida, foi lavrada no livro próprio,
aprovada e assinada por todos os presentes á esta Assembléia.
_______________/s/________________
Jochmann Participações Ltda
Norberto Jochmann
Presidente
_______________/s/________________
TADEF #8211; Trasnporte, Administração e
Participação Ltda – TALITO ENDLER –
Diretor
_______________/s/________________
LAN CARGO OVERSEAS
Pablo Navarrete
Representante Legal |
_______________/s/________________
Luciano de Almeida Ghelardi – Secretário
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SECRETAROA
DA FAZENDA
JUNTA
COMERCIAL DO ESTADO
DE SÃO PAULO
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CERTIFICO
O REGISTRO
SOB O NÛMERO |
_______/S/_______
ANA CRISTINA DE S F. CALANDA
SECRETARIA GERAL
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41.235/09-5
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