Samsung, DOJ reach deal in price-fixing conspiracy case News
Samsung, DOJ reach deal in price-fixing conspiracy case

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice [official website] on Thursday announced [press release] that Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. [corporate website] will plead guilty to charges that it conspired with other technology companies to fix prices on some of its dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips. Under the plea deal, Samsung has agreed to pay $300 million in fines, the second largest antitrust fine in US history, and will cooperate in any further investigations. This latest settlement is part of the DOJ's ongoing investigation into price-fixing in the DRAM industry. Hynix Semiconductor [corporate website] in April pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges [JURIST report] for the role it played in the price-fixing scheme. In December, 2004, four Infineon executives pleaded guilty to similar charges of price-fixing [JURIST report]. Seven Samsung executives are not party to today's settlement, and may still face charges for their role in the price fixing scheme. Bloomberg has extended coverage of the Samsung settlement. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.