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Technology Stocks : Winstar Comm. (WCII) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SteveG who wrote (10125)	1/22/1999 8:31:00 AM
From: Steven Bowen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12468

"Isn't there an official record of the bidding sequence somewhere?" Yes, the FCC still has the round by round details posted on their site. But it still takes quite a bit of time and effort to analyze even one round, let alone 128 rounds. But if you're interested in the data at all, even if just to get ready for the upcoming auctions, PM me and I'll help out with their filing system and formats. Wow, we've got another female here, makes three now. We're really gonna have to start watching our language. Welcome Karen, and thanks. Steve

To: SteveG who wrote (10125)	1/22/1999 10:46:00 AM
From: silicon warrior	Respond to of 12468

Re: Collusion: I will share with all of you a story. When Coca Cola(KO) decided to spin off its bottling operations in an ipo--CCE--it was slated to be the second largest ipo in history--second only to ford. I did the antitrust counseling for the underwriters, including due diligence. During the waiting period, we were told that pepsi and coke bottlers in virginia were colluding. Of course, you don't at first believe that such big boys could be doing something that silly and illegal. Turns out, the CEO of both the local Coke and Pepsi bottler would meet on Virginia beach and exchange their pricing in advance, and agree as to when each had sales, etc. They would make phone calls from pay phones around the corner from their office and would send unmarked, anonymous price lists to each other. One rocket scientist--with deference to Steve Bow--decided he would tape this stuff so he could turn for the prosecutors if caught. Needless to say, the antitrust division empanelled grand juries all over the country, and the Virginia beach pepsi CEO went to jail, refusing to take a plea. Collusion is very possible in these situations. Guys just don't believe they'll get caught, and the stakes are such that they get rich in a year..I, BTW, smell a rat with Bow. However, the law says that "parallel pricing", standing alone, is insufficient to demonstrate a conspiracy, while evidence therof. You need something more than the mere coincidence of pricing--at least in a court of law.