COURT REJECTED COMPLAINT BY CARTEL PARTICIPANT UAB VORTEX CAPITAL

Vilnius Regional Administrative Court upheld the Council’s decision, according to which UAB Elmis, UAB LEDEVILA and UAB Vortex Capital were fined for bid-rigging in the public procurement for the purchase of construction and installation works.

The Court rejected the complaint by UAB Vortex Capital, whereby the company asked to repeal the Council’s decision or reduce the imposed EUR 12,600 fine, and confirmed that the Council identified indisputable factual circumstances proving the anti-competitive agreement, properly evaluated the actions of the applicant and imposed a proportionate fine. Changes related to the manager and shareholders of UAB Vortex Capital did not constitute sufficient grounds for the exemption from fine.

The Council’s experts found that the companies rigged their bids (including the price) and created favorable conditions for Vortex Capital to win the tender. For the anti-competitive agreement, the Council fined LEDEVILA EUR 2,100, Vortex Capital – EUR 12,600.