In late November 1960, U.S. Attorney Robert Bicks filed charges in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, PA, USA, against the big three electrical equipment manufacturers along with 26 smaller companies and 44 of their executives. The parties were charged with conspiracy to fix prices, a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, of 1890, and the Clayton Antitrust Act, of 1914. Within four months, all 44 executives pleaded guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), and seven were sentenced to 30 days in prison.