Washington State Residents to Receive $40.6 Million For Price-fixing Of Chicken And Tuna
In a landmark move, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the disbursement of $40.6 million in financial restitution to hundreds of thousands of households across the state of Washington. This follows the success of antitrust lawsuits filed against major chicken and tuna corporations implicated in price-fixing.
The restitution, a result of Ferguson’s relentless pursuit of justice, is specifically directed at households with incomes at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Approximately 402,200 Washington households, comprising over 1.2 million residents, will benefit from these checks, providing a welcome relief to approximately 15% of the state’s population.
Single-person households are set to receive a $50 check, while multi-person households will enjoy a $120 payout. The first batch of checks was dispatched on Tuesday, December 5, with all payments expected to reach recipients before December 31. Those who do not receive a check by year-end but believe they qualify can visit refundcheck.atg.wa.gov to complete a short claims form within six months to access their share of the funds.
“When powerful interests break the law and harm Washingtonians, my office holds them accountable, prioritizing getting money back to those most impacted,” stated Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “The holiday season puts a financial strain on families, and we hope Washingtonians are helped by these checks.”
Eligibility Criteria
Restitution payments target those least able to afford the consequences of price-fixing schemes. Qualifying recipients include every Washingtonian whose household income is 175% of the federal poverty level or below. Examples include a family of five with an income less than $61,495, a single parent raising three kids on an income of $52,500 or less, a single parent with two children making less than $43,505 per year, a single parent of one or a retired couple living on two fixed incomes totaling less than $34,510, and a retired individual living alone on a fixed income less than $25,515 per year.
The Checks
Approximately 134,100 single-person households will receive $50 checks, while around 268,100 households with two or more residents will receive a $120 payment. The direct checks total $38.9 million. The claims administrator will reserve the remaining $1.7 million for households that qualify but do not receive a check initially. Those who did not receive a check can use a claims form until June 5, 2024, to determine their eligibility. The claims form is available in 18 different languages, and individuals with questions about eligibility or the claims process can contact (866) 601-1516 or send an email to [email protected].
The Broiler Chicken Lawsuits
The Attorney General’s Office secured $35.5 million in restitution through resolutions with 15 of the 19 broiler chicken producers named in a 2021 price-fixing lawsuit. These producers, accounting for approximately 95% of broiler chickens sold in the United States, engaged in a widespread illegal conspiracy to inflate and manipulate prices, rig contract bids, exchange information, and coordinate supply reductions to maximize profits. The lawsuit asserts violations of Washington state antitrust laws.
Washington was the first state to hold chicken production companies accountable for their roles in the price-fixing conspiracy. Each resolution was announced with a commitment to using the recoveries to assist Washingtonians harmed by the conspiracy. A trial against the remaining co-conspirators, Foster Farms, LLC; Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Inc. (Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms merged after the lawsuit was filed); and House of Raeford Farms, Inc., is scheduled for October 2024.
Assistant Attorneys General Travis Kennedy, Christina Black, Brooke Howlett Lovrovich, Holly Williams, Tyler Arnold, Susana Croke, Rose Duffy, and Lucy Wolf, along with paralegals, legal assistants, and staff from the Attorney General’s Antitrust Division are handling the case for Washington.
The Tuna Lawsuits
Funds also originate from more than $5.1 million in cases against major tuna companies, including a $4.1 million resolution with StarKist, a $500,000 resolution with Chicken of the Sea, a $100,000 resolution with former Bumble Bee Tuna CEO Christopher Lischewski, and $450,000 in sanctions against StarKist’s parent company, Dongwon.
Washington was the first state to sue tuna companies and the first to reach a resolution with Lischewski. Executives at the three companies engaged in clandestine communication, exchanging internal company policies and data to avoid detection. Lischewski explicitly ordered an artificial increase in canned tuna prices on consumers.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s unwavering commitment to justice and the financial well-being of Washingtonians continues to send a strong message to corporations engaging in illegal practices. As checks land in the mailboxes of households across the state, the Attorney General’s office stands as a beacon of hope for those affected by corporate misconduct.