Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever bargains, contracts, or agrees, or to bargain, contract, or agree with another that such other shall not bid upon or purchase any parcel of lands of the United States offered at public sale; or
Whoever, by intimidation, combination, or unfair management, hinders, prevents, or to hinder or prevent, any person from bidding upon or purchasing any tract of land so offered for sale—
Shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 789 (PDF, 39 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to make or try to make a deal with someone so they will not bid on U.S. land offered at public sale. It is also a crime to use intimidation, collusion, or unfair tactics to stop or try to stop anyone from bidding on such land.