Private bus companies owned by Luciano Vega-Martnez and others provided busing for students in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Private bus companies owned by Luciano Vega-Martínez and others provided busing for students in Caguas, Puerto Rico. That city announced it would hold an auction for a four-year school bus transportation contract. Instead of submitting competing bids, the bus company owners met and agreed to divide up the routes among themselves. When the bid-rigging scheme was revealed, the federal government charged the owners of the bus companies with conspiracy to restrain trade in violation of the Sherman Act. The defendants were convicted in a jury trial, sentenced to prison terms, and ordered to pay restitution. Vega-Martínez appealed, contending that the bid rigging did not fall under the Sherman Act because there was no connection between the scheme and interstate commerce. Did the defendants’ conduct substantially affect interstate commerce?