The Texas attorney general has reached a $300,000 settlement agreement with Benco Dental Supply over allegations of anticompetitive practices.
A lawsuit alleged that Benco and its competitors worked together to thwart the entry of a lower-cost, online source of dental supplies provided by the Texas Dental Association (TDA), according to an announcement by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The suit claimed that Benco and others allegedly colluded to discourage distributors and manufacturers from working with the TDA and its business partner, agreeing to not attend the TDA's annual trade show in 2014.
The agreement requires Benco to stop such activities in the future and institute an antitrust training program for the company. Benco also agreed to pay $300,000 in reimbursement for investigative costs and attorneys' fees in lieu of any civil penalty.
In a statement to DrBicuspid.com, Kristie Ceruti, a Benco Dental spokesperson, said there was no finding or admission of wrongdoing.
"The monetary settlement was not a fine or a penalty, as there was no finding or admission of wrongdoing," Ceruti wrote in an email. "Instead, Benco Dental chose to settle the case and avoid taking the matter to court in order to keep our focus and resources where they belong: delivering a painless and innovative customer experience that improves the business engines, life balance, and patient care of dental professionals."
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