Private equity collusion?

John Gapper at the FT onThe case for barbarity in private equity:

"Is there any overt collusion among private equity firms to avoid fiercely contested auctions? Probably not. Is there a culture of collaboration and a preference to avoid bruising takeover battles? Yes. My bet is that they will convince the DoJ that there are enough obvious causes for their great wealth without crimes having been committed. But it would help if they were a little more barbaric."