But the Justice Department lawyers agreed to petition for a lesser sentence if Brooks continues to help them. The judge accepted Brooks's plea agreement but will sentence her at a later date. Earlier in the day, another judge delayed acting on Sotheby's plea, saying he wanted to ensure that the victims would be repaid. If the need arises, I will vigorously defend myself against any charges. The Justice Department delved into the genteel world of art auctions in part to send a message, said A. Douglas Melamed, acting assistant attorney general for antitrust.
Antitrust laws prohibit price-fixing regardless of the identity of the victim . . .
Christie's has avoided criminal prosecution by volunteering in February to cooperate with the investigators. What the companies have admitted is that they conspired between 1993 and 1999 to fix the fees that they charge people who supply the art and antiques being auctioned. In the past, as Melamed explained it, a seller could bargain with the two houses to get lower fees and therefore keep more of the money paid for an item. But beginning in April 1993, Christie's and Sotheby's agreed on a set of fixed fees, and exchanged information about customers so they could monitor each other's adherence to the plan. The scandal has dismayed fine art collectors.