The Nation - News from Oct. 21, 1986

A nationwide price-boosting conspiracy by a pipe fabricating company and suppliers bilked nuclear power plants and other projects of at least $3 million, authorities charged. Seven people and six corporations were involved, they said. Law enforcement officials told a news conference in Seattle that the 1 1/2-year investigation had uncovered a “pervasive and far-flung conspiracy.” The scheme involved jacking up cost prices on “cost-plus” contracts, so the charges to the end customers were artificially high, authorities said.