StarKist to Plead Guilty in Tuna Price-Fixing Scheme: Justice Dept.

StarKist Co. will likely face a criminal fine of up to $100 million after the company agreed Oct. 18 to plead guilty to its role in a widespread package seafood price fixing scheme.

StarKist has agreed to plead guilty after the DOJ revealed widespread collusion between StarKist and two other tuna manufacturers—Chicken of the Sea, an entity of Tri-Union Seafoods LLC, and Bumble Bee Foods LLC. Collusion between the three tuna companies began as early as Nov. 2011, according to the DOJ.

A one-count felony charge was filed in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of California, the ...