18.2-499 - Combinations to injure others in their reputation, trade, business or profession; rights of employees.
§ 18.2-499. Combinations to injure others in their reputation, trade,business or profession; rights of employees.
A. Any two or more persons who combine, associate, agree, mutually undertakeor concert together for the purpose of (i) willfully and maliciously injuringanother in his reputation, trade, business or profession by any meanswhatever or (ii) willfully and maliciously compelling another to do orperform any act against his will, or preventing or hindering another fromdoing or performing any lawful act, shall be jointly and severally guilty ofa Class 1 misdemeanor. Such punishment shall be in addition to any civilrelief recoverable under § 18.2-500.
B. Any person who attempts to procure the participation, cooperation,agreement or other assistance of any one or more persons to enter into anycombination, association, agreement, mutual understanding or concertprohibited in subsection A of this section shall be guilty of a violation ofthis section and subject to the same penalties set out in subsection A.
C. This section shall not affect the right of employees lawfully to organizeand bargain concerning wages and conditions of employment, and take othersteps to protect their rights as provided under state and federal laws.
(Code 1950, § 18.1-74.1:1; 1964, c. 623; 1972, c. 469; 1975, cc. 14, 15;1994, c. 534.)