Australia’s Ex-BlueScope Manager Pleads Guilty In Cartel Probe

Former BlueScope executive Jason Ellis has pleaded guilty to one criminal charge of inciting the obstruction of Commonwealth public officials during a cartel investigation.

The charge related to Mr Ellis’ actions during an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) into alleged cartel conduct by BlueScope, Australia’s biggest steelmaker, and its representatives.

The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, the competition regulator announced that Mr Ellis had pleaded guilty to one charge of inciting the obstruction of federal officials in the performance of their duties.

“Mr Ellis has pleaded guilty to inciting two fellow BlueScope employees to give false information and evidence to the ACCC regarding discussions he and those BlueScope employees had in meetings with certain steel companies. These matters were ‘rolled up’ into one obstruction charge, as part of Mr Ellis’ guilty plea, accepted by the court today,” the ACCC said in a statement.