De Beers to be sentenced in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 12 (UPI) -- Prosecutors have alerted U.S. marshals who guard federal courts in Columbus that protesters may attend a Tuesday hearing involving DeBeers Centenary AG.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday De Beers, based in Switzerland, is expected to plead guilty to a federal charge of price fixing industrial diamonds, before Judge George Smith in U.S. District Court.

Prosecutors say De Beers has agreed to pay the maximum fine under the sentencing guidelines, some $10 million.

The Disptach said Jared Stamell, co-counsel in a related civil suit, may attempt to speak during the sentencing. Stamell and clients have written the judge, asking him to put De Beers on probation that would require the company to implement an antitrust program to ensure it doesn't stray into noncompetitive practices.