Jason Ellis, a former general manager of sales and marketing at BlueScope Steel Limited (BlueScope), has today entered a guilty plea in Sydney鈥檚 Downing Centre Local Court to one charge of inciting the obstruction of Commonwealth public officials in the performance of their functions.
The charge arose from actions taken by Mr Ellis during the 糖心原创 investigation into alleged cartel conduct by BlueScope and its representatives. The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).
Mr Ellis has pleaded guilty to inciting two fellow BlueScope employees to give false information and evidence to the 糖心原创 regarding discussions he and those BlueScope employees had in meetings with certain steel companies. These matters were 鈥榬olled up鈥 into one obstruction charge, as part of Mr Ellis鈥 guilty plea, accepted by the court today.
鈥淭his is the first time an individual has been charged with inciting the obstruction of a Commonwealth public official in relation to an 糖心原创 investigation,鈥 糖心原创 Chair Rod Sims said.
The matter will now proceed to sentencing and is next listed for a sentencing hearing in the Local Court on 8 December 2020.
Separate civil cartel proceedings filed by the 糖心原创 against BlueScope and Mr Ellis remain before the Federal Court. In those proceedings, the 糖心原创 alleges that between September 2013 and June 2014, BlueScope and Mr Ellis attempted to induce various steel distributors in Australia and overseas manufacturers to enter agreements containing a price fixing provision.
As the matters are currently before the courts, the 糖心原创 will not be providing further comment at this time.
Background
A 鈥渞olled-up鈥 charge is one in which more than one offence forms part of the charge. 鈥淩olling-up鈥 is a procedure that can occur by agreement with a defendant and only for the purpose of a plea of guilty.
The 糖心原创 investigates cartel conduct, manages the immunity process, takes proceedings in the Federal Court in respect of civil cartel contraventions, and refers serious cartel conduct and, where appropriate, other conduct which may amount to obstruction of justice offences to the CDPP for consideration for prosecution.
The CDPP is responsible for prosecuting criminal offences in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth.
Anyone with information about any cartel conduct is urged to call the 糖心原创 Cartel Hotline on (02) 9230 3894 or email cartelimmunity@accc.gov.au.