Ferguson used funds from chicken and tuna price-fixing cases to send checks to those most affected by conspiracies
SEATTLE — Attorney General Ferguson announced today he resolved his antitrust lawsuit against the final defendants in a sweeping conspiracy to artificially raise the price of chicken on Washington families. The remaining three defendants — House of Raeford Farms, Wayne-Sanderson Farms and Foster Farms — will pay $2.2 million, pending court approval. As a final tally, Ferguson’s broiler chicken price-fixing case involving a total of 19 defendants recovered $37.7 million.
“The corporations involved in these conspiracies cheated in order to increase their profits – and they harmed families in the process,” Ferguson said. “We did what we set out to do — hold these corporations accountable for their greed, restore a level playing field that allows all businesses to thrive, and get money back to Washingtonians most harmed.”
In December 2023, Ferguson announced the $35.5 million from this case, and $5.1 million from a similar case related to price fixing in the canned tuna industry, would be returned to consumers most harmed by the conspiracies. Following a claims process that closed June 5, the office has distributed approximately $30 million to Washingtonians. The claims administrator is processing the remaining claims.
The remaining funds will be used for future antitrust work, including the office's challenge of the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons. The Attorney General's Antitrust Division receives one hundred percent of its funding from successful case outcomes.
As part of all of the resolutions, the 19 companies named in the original lawsuit entered into legally binding agreements to conduct internal training and certify that they have corporate policies to ensure they follow state and federal antitrust laws. Under the terms of the consent decrees, if any of them engage in price-fixing or other anticompetitive conduct in the next five years, the Attorney General’s Office can go to court to seek civil penalties.
Checks sent across Washington state
In December 2023, Ferguson began mailing checks to Washingtonians as restitution from resolutions with chicken and tuna companies Ferguson sued for engaging in a similar price-fixing conspiracy. The Attorney General’s Office had $35.5 million from resolutions in the chicken producers lawsuit and $5.1 million from the tuna lawsuits — $40.6 million overall. The office initially sent checks of $50 or $120 directly to Washingtonians whose household income was at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, restitution was available through a claims process to homes that did not receive a check.
As of July 4, 274,595 households cashed the checks originally sent out in December 2023, totaling approximately $27 million for Washingtonians. Ferguson sent out a total of 28,530 additional claims checks. Of those, 15,709 have been cashed so far, for a total of $1,591,860.
The deadline for claims passed on June 5 and the administrator for the program continues to verify additional claims made in its final week.
The resolutions
Here is a breakdown for each company and its resolution:
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. for $11,000,000;
Tyson Foods for $10,500,000;
Perdue Farms Inc. for $6,500,000;
Koch Foods Inc. for $1,400,000;
Peco Foods Inc. for $800,000;
Mountaire Farms Inc. for $775,000;
Sanderson Farms for $750,000;
Wayne Farms for $750,000;
George’s Inc. for $750,000;
Mar-Jac Poultry for $725,000;
Amick Farms, LLC for $600,000;
Norman W. Fries Inc. d/b/a Claxton Poultry Farms for $475,000;
Fieldale Farms Corp. for $475,000;
House of Raeford Farms Inc. for $460,000;
Simmons Foods Inc. for $425,000;
Case Foods Inc. for $395,000;
OK Foods Inc. for $375,000;
Foster Farms, LLC for $300,000; and
Harrison Poultry Inc. for $290,000.
Ferguson named Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms as separate companies in the 2021 lawsuit, but they later merged.
The broiler chickens lawsuit
The 19 broiler chicken producers named in Ferguson’s 2021 lawsuit account for approximately 95 percent of the “broiler” chickens sold in the United States — a term for virtually all chicken produced for consumption. Broiler chickens are used for everything from chicken breasts consumers purchase at the grocery store, to chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches individuals buy at fast food restaurants.
An estimated 90 percent of Washingtonians — about 7 million Washingtonians — buy products derived from the chickens these companies produce. In addition, Washington businesses, colleges, hospitals and nursing homes were impacted by the companies’ illegal conduct.
The Attorney General’s Office investigation found a coordinated, industry-wide effort to restrain production through the exchange of competitively sensitive information, signals during investor calls and direct coordination between players in the industry. Ferguson asserts their conduct violated Washington state antitrust laws.
Assistant Attorneys General Travis Kennedy, Christina Black, Brooke Howlett Lovrovich, Holly Williams, Tyler Arnold, Susana Croke, Rose Duffy and Lucy Wolf; paralegals Tracy Jacoby, Kimberly Hitchcock, Michelle Oliver and Kate Iiams; and legal assistants Grace Monastrial, Keriann Snider and Debbie Chase from the Attorney General’s Antitrust Division handled the case for Washington.
The Attorney General’s Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing the antitrust provisions of Washington's Unfair Business Practices-Consumer Protection Act. The division investigates and litigates complaints of anticompetitive conduct and reviews potentially anticompetitive mergers. The division also brings actions in federal court under federal antitrust laws.
The Antitrust Division investigates complaints about potential anticompetitive activity. For information about filing a complaint, visit https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/AntitrustComplaint.aspx.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS:
Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce funds efforts to bring more community voices to table in growth management planning./ WA COMMERCE DEPT.
Lakehaven Water and Sewer District settles penalty for sewage spills.
DES MOINES –
The Lakehaven Water and Sewer District (District) has paid $40,000 to resolve violations of its water quality permit as part of a settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology./DOE
Award-winning Eastern Washington program supports farms and clean water.
With expansive farmland across the state, Washington is home to one of the most productive agricultural industries in America. The industry brings vital employment and economic benefit to communities - and serves as a key partner in protecting clean water throughout the state./DOE
Public invited to July 17 virtual town hall on resident native trout harvest management.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting an online public meeting July 17 to share the first draft framework of the resident native trout harvest management policy and hear feedback from the public. This is the second public town hall on the new policy, designed to increase public participation opportunities in policy development./WDFW
State agencies announce first recipients of Centers of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use certification./DOH
2) FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
KILMER RECOGNIZES TACOMA AND GIG HARBOR STUDENTS IN CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION, WELCOMES FIRST PLACE WINNER TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced Charles Wright Academy student Mera Foster as the first-place winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s Sixth Congressional District./From a press release issued 7/9/24
Senator Murray Secures Over $815 Million for Key WA Agriculture, Veterans, and Military Projects in Draft Appropriations Bills/ From press release issued 7/11/24
Senator Murray Statement on Columbia River Treaty Agreement in Principle.
“The United States and Canada reaching an agreement in principle to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime after over six years of tough negotiations is an important step forward for Washington state and the entire Northwest. I am hopeful the agreement successfully meets our objectives and works for ratepayers, Tribes, river users, our local ecosystems, and everyone on our side of the border. I pressed the administration to engage with Tribes and stakeholders in the Northwest as openly as possible throughout negotiations and continue to do so now through the drafting process—and as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will work with the administration and my colleagues to ensure Congress provides the necessary resources for the United States to meet its obligations.”/From a press release issued 7/11/24
Cantwell Statement on New Columbia River Treaty Agreement in Principle
Cantwell has been advocating for a strong, modernized Treaty to manage U.S. & Canada stewardship of the Columbia River over a decade/Press release issued 7/11/24
SENATE REPORT: Women Burdened By Dobbs Decision No Matter What State They Live In
In new interviews and discussions with more than 80 doctors, educators, and advocates across the country, dire post-Dobbs trends emerge: Longer wait times, onerous travel, worsening health care deserts, a thinning workforce pipeline, & harrowing cases of patients airlifted out of state/Press release 7/11/24
3) WORLD< NATIONAL< BUSINESS
WORLD:
General Assembly Adopts Resolution Demanding Russian Federation Immediately Return Full Control of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukrainian Authorities
Decision, Related Amendment on Civil Society Participation in Upcoming Summit of Future Also Approved/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12614.doc.htm
Deputy Secretary-General, at United Nations Population Award Ceremony, Honours Human Rights Advocate, Ethiopian Alliance to End Female Mutilation
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the 2024 United Nations./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/dsgsm1919.doc.htm
Peace Process in Colombia ‘Remains an Inspiration for the World’, Says Secretary-General, at Event Inaugurating Monument/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22305.doc.ht
Explanation of Vote Delivered by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Following the Adoption of the UNSC Reauthorization of BINUH/USUN
Summary of the Agreement in Principle to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime./US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Advancing Women, Peace and Security at the NATO 75th Anniversary Summit/WH
Biden: U.S. Continues to Lead Global Partnership, Stands Firm With NATO Allies/DOD
The Grand Health Care System and 12 Affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities to Pay $21.3M for Allegedly Providing and Billing for Fraudulent Rehabilitation Therapy Services/DOJ
HUD Accepts New Communities to Participate in the ConnectHomeUSA Initiative and Bridge the Digital Divide for HUD-Assisted Families
ConnectHomeUSA will support HUD-assisted communities by addressing the three key aspects of digital inclusion: providing affordable internet access, offering free/affordable devices, and delivering digital skills training./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_178
FDA Updates Guidance to Further Empower Companies to Address the Spread of Misinformation/FDA
BUSINESS:
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $110 Million in Meat and Poultry Processing to Strengthen Food Supply Chain, Increase Competition, and Lower Food Costs
To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested a total of over $700 million in 48 states and Puerto Rico for projects that help to expand the nation’s independent meat and poultry processing capacity/USDA
Armstrong Group Agrees to Pay $6.5M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Subsidies Under the Federal Communications Commission’s High-Cost Program/DOJ
Common Inflation and Monetary Policy Challenges across Countries, Governor Lisa D. Cook/THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/cook20240710a.htm
IRS tops $1 billion in past-due taxes collected from millionaires; compliance efforts continue involving high-wealth groups, corporations, partnerships/IRS
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION AWARDS OVER $244M TO MODERNIZE, DIVERSIFY, EXPAND REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS IN GROWING INDUSTRIES
Department of Labor makes largest combined investment in learn-and-earn workforce model/DEPT. of LABOR
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20240711-0
IN FOCUS: DNR and Partners Clear Halfway Point of 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan Treatment Goal.
Public and private forest managers have performed nearly 800,000 acres of forest health treatments in central and eastern Washington since 2017 to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources published a report Monday detailing the scope and scale of forest health treatments completed in central and eastern Washington since the launch of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan in 2017.
As of May 31, 2024, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners had completed 790,790 acres of treatments in central and eastern Washington, with about 391,465 acres of those treatments occurring within the more than three dozen priority landscapes identified within the 20-Year Strategic Plan. The 144,673 treatment acres completed in 2023 is more than 31,000 acres more than the previous single-year high set in 2018.
The gross number of treatment acres includes 365,633 acres of forest health treatments on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service, 164,349 treatment acres on DNR state trust lands, and 139,099 acres of treatments completed by the DNR Service Forestry Program. A full breakdown of acres treated by land manager, year, and other categories can be viewed by clicking here.
“To have completed almost 800,000 acres of forest health treatments in less than seven years is an epic achievement we should all be proud of,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. I have pushed my staff and our partners in the fight against our forest health crisis to think bigger and to aim higher to restore our forests to health and resilience. Though we will reach our initial goal sooner rather than later, we must treat it like a checkpoint, not the finish line."
Many forest health treatments require multiple activities take place to truly achieve objectives such as fuels reduction, wildlife habitat restoration, and creation of potential control lines for use in the event of a wildfire. Completed treatments also require regular maintenance to remain effective.
“Working at this pace and scale would not be possible without the $500 million commitment the State Legislature made when it passed my House Bill 1168 in 2021 to fully fund implementation of the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan and so many other efforts to prevent catastrophic wildfires, restore forest health, and improve community resilience in the face of climate change,” Franz said.
The more than 790,000 treatment acres reported as of May 31 represents a nearly 190,000-acre increase since the most recent progress report issued in October 2023, but close to 100,000 acres of that increase includes treatments completed prior to fall of last year.
Tens of thousands of treatment acres completed by the DNR Service Forestry Program went unreported prior to this year. Agency staff recognized the discrepancy early in 2024 and re-entered the data using the same criteria used by each of the other reporting agencies and partners since 2017.
Additional factors that led to a record-setting year of forest health treatments included increased amounts of prescribed fire and non-commercial thinning. These treatments not only help make forests more able to not only survive, but benefit from low-severity wildfires, but also provide tools for wildland firefighters to use when responding to new fire starts.
DNR publishes a yearly report with examples of where less severe wildfires may complement completed forest health treatments. Click here to read the 2023 Work of Wildfire report.
“Properly completed and maintained forest health treatments are a game changer for fire management personnel,” said Tim Love, Assistant Region Manager of Wildland Fire Management in DNR’s Northeast Region. “These treatment areas allow us the opportunity to safely engage the fire due to the moderated fire behavior which correlates to shorter flame lengths and less intense heat, making it easier and safer for our ground resources.”
It is also important to note that number of treatment acres reported is likely a small undercount due to different agencies reporting their completed and in-progress forest health projects at different times during the year. Data reported for 2023 should be considered mostly complete, but data reported for 2024 should be considered mostly incomplete.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 7/15/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07152024-1228
Clallam County Commission meeting for 7/16/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07162024-1229
Board of Health meeting for 7/16/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07162024-1230
Port Angeles City Council for 7/16/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/15135/07162024-CC-Agenda-Packet
OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 7/17/24
City of Sequim Council meeting for 7/15/24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=168
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County meeting for 7/15/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/c690f166-dc6c-4faf-99fa-ae39f10805d2
City of Port Townsend meeting 7/15/24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3562
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Philippians 2:9-11 (New International Version)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Lord, Teach Us Compassion
Is our world today characterized, generally, by compassion? If we answer no, and I think tragically we’d have to, the reason is we have not learned compassion from the compassionate Christ. --TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/lord-teach-us-compassion
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS
Who Doomed the Petrodollar: America or Saudi Arabia?
There has been a lot of confusion lately about Saudi Arabia allegedly ending a 50-year-deal with the United States. The "deal" tied oil sales to the US dollar. But many have claimed that the deal never actually existed. So, what's really going on here and should Americans be worried? Financial expert Carol Roth joins Glenn to break it all down, including why she believes the United States and our Federal Reserve are really to blame for the petrodollar's destruction. Plus, Carol explains why the Biden administration can insist the economy has never been better, although our wallets can tell the opposite is true.--Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z2vFHDjkSQ
Sunday Worship 7/7/2024-Great Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5DH12i6vwc
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
