Posted on Jan 4, 2024
Washington AG cries fowl, but poultry payout for chicken price-fixing ruffles some feathers
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Settlement money of $460,000 from a major antitrust lawsuit may seem like chicken feed to some people. But consider that these funds are being added to a pool worth millions, which, in turn, is being divvied up and sent to Washington residents.
“As a result of corporate greed and illegal price-fixing, Washingtonians paid more for chicken without realizing it,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a statement. “We are holding accountable those responsible, and getting money back to Washington families who were most harmed. We will continue to serve as a force for economic justice for Washingtonians.”
“As a result of corporate greed and illegal price-fixing, Washingtonians paid more for chicken without realizing it,” said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a statement. “We are holding accountable those responsible, and getting money back to Washington families who were most harmed. We will continue to serve as a force for economic justice for Washingtonians.”
Washington AG cries fowl, but poultry payout for chicken price-fixing ruffles some feathers
Posted from kuow.org
State of Washington
Lawsuit
Food/Chow
Posted 4 mo ago
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2
2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Washington chicken and tuna lawsuits
Ferguson, who has served as Washington's attorney general for 10 years and is running for governor in 2024, sued 19 broiler chicken producers in 2021. He roasted the companies, alleging that since at least 2008, they conspired to limit the supply of the birds in order to drive prices higher. At the time, Ferguson stated, "If you’ve eaten chicken in the last decade, this conspiracy touched your wallet." In the antitrust lawsuit, the AG's Office argued that 90% of Washington consumers buy products with chicken and overpaid during this time.
In December 2023, the Attorney General's Office announced that it had settled with the majority of chicken producers for $40.6 million, one month before the office announced that two more producers agreed to add $460,000 to that sum.
Two more chicken producers remain locked in a legal battle with the state — Foster Farms and Wayne-Sanderson Farms. A trial in King County Superior Court is currently slated for October 2024.
Washington state also sued tuna producers in 2020 over the same type of price-fixing conspiracy, alleging the companies communicated to keep prices high. In 2020, Ferguson said, "We cannot have a free market when corporate titans are able to tip the scales to their own bank accounts. Washingtonians lost millions as a result of this corporate greed. I intend to get that back for them.”
..."Washington chicken and tuna lawsuits
Ferguson, who has served as Washington's attorney general for 10 years and is running for governor in 2024, sued 19 broiler chicken producers in 2021. He roasted the companies, alleging that since at least 2008, they conspired to limit the supply of the birds in order to drive prices higher. At the time, Ferguson stated, "If you’ve eaten chicken in the last decade, this conspiracy touched your wallet." In the antitrust lawsuit, the AG's Office argued that 90% of Washington consumers buy products with chicken and overpaid during this time.
In December 2023, the Attorney General's Office announced that it had settled with the majority of chicken producers for $40.6 million, one month before the office announced that two more producers agreed to add $460,000 to that sum.
Two more chicken producers remain locked in a legal battle with the state — Foster Farms and Wayne-Sanderson Farms. A trial in King County Superior Court is currently slated for October 2024.
Washington state also sued tuna producers in 2020 over the same type of price-fixing conspiracy, alleging the companies communicated to keep prices high. In 2020, Ferguson said, "We cannot have a free market when corporate titans are able to tip the scales to their own bank accounts. Washingtonians lost millions as a result of this corporate greed. I intend to get that back for them.”
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