- Washington AG Bob Ferguson sued canned foods manufacturer StarKist Company, its parent company Dongwon Industries, and the former CEO of Bumble Bee Foods, a competitor, for allegedly engaging in a price-fixing conspiracy to drive up the price of canned tuna in violation of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.
- The complaint, which is based in part on evidence uncovered in a federal criminal case against the same parties, alleges, among other things, that executives from competitor canned tuna companies routinely communicated and exchanged internal company policies and data in order to keep the price of tuna artificially high, costing Washington consumers at least $6 million.
- The complaint seeks restitution, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs.