The defendants operated businesses that conducted inspections of flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks. The tank inspections were required under federal law. The complaint alleged that in anticipation of submitting bids for new contracts, the defendants agreed not to compete for business in each other’s territories in order to avoid a bidding war. Morris K. Lear (No. 99-CF-1365), Western Wisconsin Inspection, Inc. (99-CF-1366), Bruce J. Getten (99-CF-1367), Ronald C. Habermann (No. 99-CF-1368), Independent Inspections, Ltd. (99-CF-1369) Randall E. Barnes (99-CF-1370) all received criminal fines and were assessed costs.