ethics question

I do have to write about this b/c it makes me a bit upset.
some friends came out to see us, and asked if we were buying peoples choice taster kits for people? I said no why? They then proceeded to tell me that one team bought theirs for them. I dont think that is right and they should have been dq'd. I was too busy at the time to tell any contest reps but the more I think about it the more it really ticks me off, especially when you find out how well they did in the peoples choice comp.