Bradford Betz; Fox News; DOJ reaches settlement with major egg producers over alleged price manipulation
"The Justice Department and attorneys general from 17 states announced proposed settlements Tuesday with three of the nation's largest egg producers after alleging they coordinated to manipulate a key pricing benchmark that inflated egg prices for consumers nationwide.
Federal officials simultaneously filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Cal-Maine Foods, Hickman's Egg Ranch and Versova while lodging the proposed settlements, which – if approved by a federal court – would prohibit the companies from engaging in the alleged conduct going forward.
According to New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, the companies agreed to pay a combined $3.3 million to participating states and donate approximately 53 million eggs to food banks and nonprofit organizations. The settlements also require the companies to adopt antitrust compliance measures and end the alleged coordination."
