Allegations that several Ottawa companies have been involved in rigging bids with the federal government are now out in the open.
The Competition Bureau says the deals date back to 2006 and involve contracts worth nearly $70 million.
The Bureau says three companies were involved in 10 of the contracts: TPG, Spearhead and Donna Cona. Other companies named are Brainhunter, The Devon Group and Nortak Software.
John Pecman, a spokesperson for the criminal investigations branch of the competition bureau, told CTV Ottawa this is a complex case dating back to 2005 and investigators looked at some 125,000 paper and electronic files.
Pecman also says they offered immunity to someone in the case. He adds the investigation is now done.
If convicted, those involved face jail time and/or fines at the discretion of the job.
It is alleged the companies worked together to set bid prices for the provision of technology services to several federal departments including Transport Canada and Canada Border Services.
Serge Buy, a spokesman for Donald Powell, head of TPG Technology, says they believe "there is no doubt the charges are linked to Don's lawsuit."
In 2007, Powell said Public Works failed to properly handle a $400-million contract, which Powell failed to win. He launched a lawsuit seeking $200 million last year, which is working its way through the legal system
