A Cincinnati company has pleaded guilty in what will be the stateâs first criminal antitrust convictions in 30 years. According to Attorney General Mike DeWine, Quattro Inc, a seller of traffic control devices, wasnât playing by the rules. Court documents say the company worked with a co-conspirator to submit prearranged quotes to ODOT and at other times submitted multiple quotes from itself and related companies. âQuattro would tell its direct competitor or co-conspirator what prices to quote to ODOT for specific products. They made sure there were enough bids to meet the requirements of the bidding process," DeWine says. The guilty pleas from the company and its sales manager Timothy OâBrien. A report from the Office of the Inspector General blames ODOT purchasers for ignoring state bidding policies and procedures. DeWine wouldnât comment on a larger statewide investigation. The report said nine companies involved in transactions were reviewed. Itâs unclear if any more suppliers or state workers will be charged.
With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.