Source: http://www.justice.gov/atr/cases/f227600/227679.htm
Timestamp: 2014-09-02 03:23:35
Document Index: 667279666

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 371', '§ 1', '§ 371', '§ 1341', '§ 1001', '§ 1503', '§ 1621', '§\n1623', '§ 401', '§ 1503', '§ 1', '§ 35719', '§ 8', '§ 3563', '§ 3013', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3571', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 3663', '§ 3013', '§ 371', '§ 3571', '§ 5', '§ 3663', '§ 3013', '§ 3553', '§ 3553', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 8', '§ 8']

Plea Agreement : U.S. v. Mister A.C. Ltd. and Michael C. Vignola
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. MISTER A.C. LTD., and,
MICHAEL C. VIGNOLA Defendants. |
| Criminal No.: 07-cr-1021 Filed: 11/07/07 Violations: 15 U.S.C. § 1 18 U.S.C. § 371 PLEA AGREEMENT
The United States of America and the defendants Mister A.C. LTD. ("Mister
A.C.") a corporation organized and existing under the laws of New York; and Michael C.
Vignola ("Vignola") hereby enter into the following plea agreement ("Agreement")
pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure ("Fed. R. Crim.
AND WAIVE CERTAIN RIGHTS 1. Mister A.C. and Vignola will each waive indictment pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b), and plead guilty to a two count Information, in the form attached, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in which (a) each is charged with violating one count of 15 U.S.C. § 1 in connection with a conspiracy to rig bids beginning in and around June 2002 and continuing until January 2006 to the Facilities Operations and Engineering Department of New York Presbyterian Hospital ("NYPH"); and (b) Vignola is charged with one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 371 in connection with participating in a conspiracy beginning in and around June 2001 and continuing until January 2006, with the objective of depriving NYPH of the honest services of certain of its employees, and that Vignola and others executed the scheme and artifice by and through the United States mails, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1346. DEFENDANTS' COOPERATION 2. Mister A.C. and Vignola will cooperate fully and truthfully with the United
violations of federal antitrust and related criminal laws involving the installation and repair
of heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC"), systems at NYPH, as well as, any
(collectively referred to herein as "Federal Proceeding"). The ongoing, full, and truthful
cooperation of Mister A.C. and Vignola shall include, but not be limited to:
Vignola and Mister A.C. agree to produce to the United States all
documents, information, and other materials, including any personal documents, in the
possession, custody, or control of Mister A.C. and/or Vignola that may be requested by the
Vignola agrees to make himself available for interviews with the
attorneys and agents of the United States, not at the expense of the United States, at the
New York Office of the Antitrust Division, or at other mutually-agreed upon locations,
upon the request of attorneys and/or agents of the United States;
Vignola agrees to bring to the attention of the United States all crimes
which he has committed, and all administrative, civil, and/or criminal proceedings,
target, party, or witness; Vignola agrees to respond fully and truthfully to all inquiries of the
United States in connection with any Federal Proceeding, without falsely implicating any
false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001) and obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503, et seq.); Mister A.C. and Vignola agree upon the request of the United States, to
voluntarily provide the United States with any materials or information, not requested in
(a)-(c) of this paragraph, that may relate to any such Federal Proceeding; Vignola, when called upon to do so by the United States in connection
with any Federal Proceeding, will testify in grand jury, trial, and other judicial proceedings
fully, truthfully and under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621),
making false statements or declarations in grand jury or court proceedings (18 U.S.C. §
1623), contempt (18 U.S.C. §§ 401-402), and obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. § 1503, et
seq.); and	Vignola agrees to commit no further crimes whatsoever.
3. Mister A.C. and Vignola agree that any assistance they may provide to
federal criminal investigators in connection with any Federal Proceeding shall be pursuant
to the specific instructions and control of the Antitrust Division and those federal criminal
GOVERNMENT'S AGREEMENT 4.	If Mister A.C. and Vignola fully comply with the understandings specified
in this Agreement, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice agrees not to bring
further criminal charges against them for crimes committed prior to the date of this
Agreement: a) arising out of their participation in a combination and conspiracy to rig bids
for the installation and repair of HVAC systems at NYPH beginning in and around June
2002 and continuing through January 2006; and (b) the payment of money or the giving
of gifts and free services to employees or agents of NYPH beginning in June 2001 and
continuing through January 2006. The scope of the protection afforded in this paragraph
is limited to the activities stated above that the Defendants have disclosed to the United
States, as of the date of this Agreement. This paragraph does not apply to civil matters of
any kind, violations of federal tax or securities laws, or crimes of violence.
of the United States Department of Justice. However, if requested, the Antitrust Division
will bring the fact, manner and extent of the cooperation of Mister A.C. and/or Vignola to
the attention of other prosecuting, administrative, and other agencies as a matter for such
agencies to consider as appropriate.
POSSIBLE MAXIMUM SENTENCES 6. Mister A.C. understands that the statutory maximum penalty which may be
imposed against it upon conviction for a violation of Section One of the Sherman
Antitrust Act charged in Count One is a fine in an amount equal to the greatest of:
$100 million (15 U.S.C. § 1); or twice the gross pecuniary gain the conspirators derived from the crime
conspirators (18 U.S.C. § 35719 (c) and (d)). 7. In addition, Mister A.C. understands that:
probation of at least one year, but not more than five years; pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 8B1.1 or 18 U.S.C. § 3563(b)(2) or 3663(a)(3),
the Court may order it to pay restitution to the victims of the offense; and
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(B), the Court is required to order
Mister A.C. to pay a $400 special assessment upon conviction for the charged crime.
8. Vignola understands that the statutory maximum penalty which may be
imposed against him upon conviction for a violation of Section One of the Sherman
Antitrust Act charged in Count One is:
a term of imprisonment for ten (10) years (15 U.S.C. § 1); a fine in an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $1,000,000, (2) twice the gross pecuniary gain the conspirators derived from the crime, or (3) twice the gross pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the crime by the conspirators (15 U.S.C. § 1; 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b) and (d)); and a term of supervised release of three (3) years following any term of
3583(b)(2) and (e)(3); and U.S.S.G. § 5D1.2(a)(2)). 9. In addition, Vignola understands that:
pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5E1.1 or 18 U.S.C. § 3663(a)(3) or 3583(d), the Court may impose an order of restitution to the victims of the offense; and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(A), the Court is required to order the defendant to pay a $100.00 special assessment upon conviction for the charged crime. 10. Vignola understands that the statutory maximum penalty which may be
imposed against him upon conviction for a violation of title 18 Section 371 charged in
Count Two is:
a term of imprisonment for five (5) years (18 U.S.C. § 371); a fine in an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $250,000 (2) twice the
pecuniary loss caused to the victims of the crime by the conspirators (18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)
and (d)); and	a term of supervised release of three (3) years following any term of
3583(b)(2) and (e)(3); and U.S.S.G. § 5D1.2(a)(2)). 11. In addition, Vignola understands that:
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 3663, 3663A and 3664, the Court shall impose an order of restitution to the victims of the offense; and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(A), the Court is required to order the
defendant to pay a $100.00 special assessment upon conviction for the charged crime.	SENTENCING GUIDELINES 12. Mister A.C. and Vignola understand the United States Sentencing Guidelines ("Sentencing Guidelines") are advisory, not mandatory, but that the Court must consider the Sentencing Guidelines, along with the other factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) in determining and imposing sentence. Mister A.C. and Vignola understand that the Guidelines determinations will be made by the Court by a preponderance of the evidence standard. Mister A.C. and Vignola understand that although the Court is not ultimately bound to impose a sentence within the applicable Guidelines range, its sentence must be based upon considerations of all relevant sentencing factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). 13. The United States and Mister A.C. agree and stipulate that the Sentencing
Guidelines in effect on the day of sentencing should be applied.
14. The United States and Vignola agree and stipulate that the Sentencing
Guidelines in effect on the day of sentencing should be applied. SENTENCING AGREEMENT 15. Mister A.C. and Vignola understand that the sentences to be imposed on
them are within the sole discretion of the sentencing judge. It is understood that the
Sentencing Guidelines are not binding on the Court. The defendants acknowledge that
their entries of guilty pleas to the charged offense authorizes the sentencing court to
impose any sentence, up to and including the statutory maximum sentence. The United
States cannot and does not make any promises or representations as to what sentences
Mister A.C. and Vignola will receive. The defendants understand that, as provided in Fed.
R. Crim. P. 11(c)(3)(B), if the Court does not impose a sentence consistent with the
parties' sentencing recommendation, the defendants nevertheless have no right to
withdraw their pleas of guilty. However, the United States will inform the Probation
Office and the Court of (a) this Agreement; (b) the nature and extent of Mister A.C.'s and
Vignola's activities with respect to this case, and all other activities of Mister A.C. and
Vignola which the United States deems relevant to sentencing; and (c) the timeliness,
nature, extent and significance of Mister A.C.'s and Vignola's cooperation with the United
States. In so doing, the United States may use any information it deems relevant, including
information provided by Mister A.C. and Vignola both prior and subsequent to the signing
of this Agreement. The United States reserves the right to make any statement to the Court
or the Probation Office concerning the nature of the offense charged in the attached
Information, the participation of Mister A.C. and Vignola therein, and any other facts or
circumstances that it deems relevant. The United States also reserves the right to comment
on or to correct any representation made by or on behalf of Mister A.C. and Vignola, and
to supply any other information that the Court may require. 16. If the United States determines that Mister A.C. has provided substantial
terms of this Agreement, it will file a motion pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 8C4.1 to recommend
a downward departure for the substantial assistance Mister A.C. provided to the United
States. The United States and Mister A.C. further agree that the fine to be imposed is
within the sole discretion of the sentencing judge, but that the Court must consider the
factors set forth in U.S.S.G. § 8C3.3(b) in determining Mister A.C.'s ability to pay a fine.
The United States and Mister A.C. are free to recommend or argue for any specific
sentence to the Court.
17. If the United States determines that Vignola has provided substantial
terms of this Agreement, it will file a motion, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1, advising the
Court to sentence Vignola in light of the factors set forth in U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1(a)(1)-(5),
and thus impose, in the Court's discretion, a sentence below the applicable Sentencing
Guidelines ranges for incarceration and fine. The United States and Vignola are free to
recommend or argue for any specific sentence to the Court.
18. Vignola and Mister A.C. understand that this Agreement does not in any
way affect or limit the right of the United States to respond to and take positions on post-sentencing motions or requests for information that relate to reduction or modification of
19. Mister A.C. and Vignola acknowledge that the decision whether they have provided substantial assistance in any Federal Proceeding is within the sole discretion of the United States. It is understood that should the United States determine that Mister A.C. or Vignola have not provided substantial assistance in any Federal Proceeding, such a determination will release the United States from any obligation to file a motion pursuant to U.S.S.G. §§ 8C4.1 and 5K1.1, but will not entitle Mister A.C. and/or Vignola to withdraw their respective guilty plea once it has been entered. Mister A.C. and Vignola further understand that whether or not the United States files its motions pursuant to U.S.S.G. §§ 8C4.1 and 5K1.1, the sentence to be imposed on them remains within the sole discretion of the sentencing judge.	20. Mister A.C. and Vignola understand and agree that should the conviction
following their pleas of guilty pursuant to this Agreement be vacated for any reason, then
any prosecution that is not time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations on the date
of the signing of this Agreement (including any counts that the Government has agreed to
dismiss at sentencing pursuant to this Agreement) may be commenced or reinstated
against them, notwithstanding the expiration of the statute of limitations between the
signing of this Agreement and the commencement or reinstatement of such prosecution. It
is the intent of this Agreement to waive all defenses based on the statute of limitations
with respect to any prosecution that is not time-barred on the date that this Agreement is
REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL 21. The Defendants have reviewed all legal and factual aspects of this case
with their attorneys and are fully satisfied with their attorneys' legal representation. The
Defendants have thoroughly reviewed this Plea Agreement with their attorneys and have
received satisfactory explanations from their attorneys concerning each paragraph of this
Plea Agreement, and alternatives available to the Defendants other than entering into this
Plea Agreement. After conferring with their attorneys and considering all available
alternatives, the Defendants have made a knowing and voluntary decision to enter into this
VOLUNTARY PLEA 22. The Defendants hereby acknowledge that they have accepted this
Agreement and decided to plead guilty because they are in fact guilty. By entering this
plea of guilty, the Defendants waive any and all right to withdraw their plea or to attack
their conviction, either on direct appeal or collaterally, on the ground that the United
States has failed to produce any discovery material, Jencks Act material, exculpatory
material pursuant to Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), other than information
establishing the factual innocence of the Defendants, and impeachment material pursuant
to Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972), that have not already been produced as of
the date of the signing of this Agreement. 23. The Defendants decision to enter into this Agreement and to tender pleas of guilty are freely and voluntarily made and are not the result of force, threats, assurances, promises, or representations other than the representations contained in this Agreement. The United States has made no promises or representations to the Defendants as to whether the Court will accept or reject the recommendations contained within this Agreement.
VIOLATION OF PLEA AGREEMENT 24. Mister A.C. and Vignola agree that should the United States determine in
good faith that Mister A.C. and/or Vignola have given false, misleading, or incomplete
information or testimony, or that Mister A.C. and/or Vignola have failed in any other way
to fulfill any of the obligations set out in this Agreement, the United States shall notify
counsel for Mister A.C. and/or Vignola in writing by personal or overnight delivery or
facsimile transmission of its intention to void any of its obligations under this Agreement
(except its obligations under this paragraph), and Mister A.C. and/or Vignola will be
25. If Mister A.C. and/or Vignola violate any provision of this Agreement,
they agree that any documents, statements, information, testimony or evidence provided by
Mister A.C. and/or Vignola whether before or after the execution of this Agreement, and
any leads derived therefrom, shall be admissible in evidence in any and all criminal
proceedings hereafter brought against Mister A.C. and/or Vignola, and that neither will
assert a claim under the United States Constitution, any statute, Rule 410 of the Federal
Rules of Evidence, or any other federal rule, that such evidence, or any leads therefrom,
26. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between and among the
United States and Mister A.C. and Vignola concerning the disposition of the charges
contained in the attached Information. The United States has made no other promises to or
agreements with Mister A.C. and/or Vignola. This Agreement cannot be modified other
than in a writing signed by the parties.	27. The undersigned is authorized to enter this Agreement as evidenced by the
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Mister A.C. attached to, and incorporated by
reference in, this Plea Agreement.	28. The undersigned attorneys for the United States have been authorized by
the Attorney General of the United States to enter this Plea Agreement on behalf of the
for MISTER A.C. LTD. _______________/s/________________
CELIA A. GORDON, ESQ.
Counsel for MICHEAL C. VIGNOLA
and MISTER A.C. LTD.
STEPHEN J. McCAHEY _______________/s/________________
JEFFREY D. MARTINO Attorneys, Department of Justice Antitrust Division 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3630 New York, NY 10278 Phone: (212) 264-0656 CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE RESOLUTION I, MICHAEL C. VIGNOLA, President of Mister A.C., Ltd., organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, and having its principal place of business at 78 Woodland Avenue, Rockville Centre, New York 11570, hereby certifies that the following is a true copy of a resolution adopted by the President and sole Director of Mister A.C., Ltd. and that such resolution is now in full force and effect. RESOLVED that Mr. A.C., Ltd. authorizes Michael C. Vignola, President and sole Officer of Mr. A.C., Ltd. to enter a plea on behalf of Mr. A.C., Ltd. in the matter entitled United States of America v. Mister A.C., Ltd. and Michael C. Vignola, in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York; and RESOLVED that Mister A.C., Ltd. authorizes the Law Offices of Robert C. Gottlieb to appear and act on behalf of Mister A.C., Ltd. in all aspects of the above-captioned case, including any plea or disposition.
I further certify that Mister A.C. Ltd. is duly organized and existing, and has the power to take the action called for by the foregoing resolution. DIRECTOR _______________/s/________________
MICHAEL C. VIGNOLA _____________11/7/07_____________