A federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has indicted a Weatherford-based erosion control company and its top executive for participating in a price-fixing conspiracy that impacted over $100 million in publicly funded transportation contracts throughout the state.
Sioux Erosion Control Inc., along with its Vice President BG Dale Biscoe and estimator Randall David Shelton, stands accused of violating the Sherman Act. This federal antitrust law prohibits unreasonable restraints of trade. The allegations state that the company, along with its employees, conspired with competitors to raise and maintain prices for products and services between September 2017 and April 2023.
“We haven’t done anything wrong,” asserted Mack Martin, an attorney representing Biscoe, in an interview with The Oklahoman. “We will defend this case until the very end. We take great pride in the work we have accomplished.”
The three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Sioux has released a statement, which reads as follows:
“Sioux Erosion Control, BG Biscoe, and Randy Shelton have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are fully committed to vigorously defending themselves. We take great pride in the exceptional soil erosion services we have been offering and will continue to offer in Oklahoma.”
Erosion control products and services, such as solid slab sodding, are commonly included in contracts with government entities at the federal, state, and local levels. These contracts are typically for publicly funded projects, such as highway construction and repair.
Earlier this year, four additional individuals, including a former Sioux employee, admitted guilt for their involvement in the alleged conspiracy. As of now, they are still awaiting sentencing.
If convicted, the individuals could potentially be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and be subject to a criminal fine of $1 million.
“We remain committed to collaborating with law enforcement agencies to expose these harmful schemes and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph Skarda of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office in a recent news release.
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