A manager at a bovine artificial insemination company has pleaded guilty in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into bid rigging at cattle auctions.
According to court records, the South Carolina man admitted participating in a scheme that operated from 2018 through 2024.
Investigators said competing companies secretly agreed in advance which business would win certain cattle auctions. Other participants either avoided bidding or submitted bids designed to lose.
Federal officials stated that the company involved acquired cattle valued at more than $1.6 million through these improperly managed sales.