INDIANAPOLIS — A federal jury in Illinois ordered $17.7 million in damages — an quantity tripled to greater than $53 million underneath federal regulation — to a number of meals manufacturing corporations who had sued main egg producers over a conspiracy to restrict the egg provide within the U.S.
The jury dominated final week that the egg producers used numerous means to restrict the home provide of eggs to extend the worth of merchandise throughout the 2000s. The timeframe of the conspiracy was a problem all through the case; jurors in the end decided damages occurred between 2004 and 2008.
The damages verdict was reached Friday within the Northern District of Illinois. In accordance with federal antitrust regulation, the damages are mechanically tripled, bringing the whole to over $53 million. Court docket paperwork on the decision weren’t available Friday night, however statements from the producers’ lawyer and one of many egg producers confirmed a complete of about $17.7 million.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful for the jury’s service and findings,” Brandon Fox, an lawyer representing the meals producers, mentioned in an announcement. “This was an necessary case for a lot of causes, and the jury’s award acknowledges its significance.”
Attorneys for the 4 egg suppliers named within the lawsuit didn’t instantly return cellphone messages on Friday. Court docket paperwork present the defendants have denied the claims.
The egg suppliers embody the household firm of its former Chair John Rust, who’s operating for the U.S. Senate in Indiana. In a written assertion on the decision, Rust mentioned the jury’s resolution “will probably be appealed.”
The jury discovered that the egg suppliers exported eggs overseas to scale back the general provide within the home market, in addition to restricted the variety of chickens by means of means together with cage area, early slaughter and flock discount, courtroom paperwork say.
Jurors had been particularly instructed to not contemplate more moderen adjustments in egg pricing throughout their deliberations.
Meals producers becoming a member of as plaintiffs within the lawsuit in opposition to the egg producers are Kraft Meals International, Inc., The Kellogg Firm, Normal Mills, Inc. and Nestle USA, Inc. The jury discovered the egg suppliers who participated within the conspiracy had been Cal-Maine Meals, Inc., United Egg Producers, Inc., United States Egg Entrepreneurs, Inc. and Rose Acre Farms, Inc., a southern Indiana-based firm beforehand chaired by Rust.
Rose Acre Farms, which identifies itself because the second-largest egg producer within the U.S., disagreed with the jury’s verdict in a written assertion.
“Rose Acre has and continues to steadfastly deny being a part of any anticompetitive egg price-fixing conspiracy, and we’ll proceed to discover and contemplate all authorized choices, together with post-trial reduction and attraction,” the assertion mentioned.
Cal-Maine Meals, Inc. mentioned in a written assertion it has petitioned the courtroom to rule in its favor and can proceed to guage its choices, “together with, if essential, an attraction.”
“Cal-Maine Meals respects the jury’s resolution and appreciates that the damages awarded by the jury are comparatively modest in comparison with the damages sought however stays upset with the decision as Cal-Maine Meals continues to consider that the Firm did nothing incorrect,” the assertion mentioned.
E mail messages despatched to the United Egg Producers and United States Egg Entrepreneurs representatives weren’t instantly returned Friday.
In his assertion, Rust attacked his opponent U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, saying he has sided with “mega firms over the American farmer” within the aftermath of the jury’s ruling.
“Voters will be sure that, if elected, Banks will deliver his anti-agriculture and pro-mega company platform to the chamber,” Rust mentioned.
In response, Banks mentioned in a written assertion, “Hoosiers aren’t going to vote for a criminal.”
Rust is at present suing Indiana’s Secretary of State over a contested state regulation that might forestall his identify from getting on the first poll as a Republican candidate. In accordance with the regulation, a candidate should vote in two primaries with the get together they’re affiliated with or the county get together chair should approve their candidacy. Rust has argued the regulation is unconstitutional and obscure.
Rust faces an uphill battle for the GOP nomination: Banks has obtained the endorsement of the Indiana Republican Social gathering and former President Donald Trump. The seat is at present held by Republican Mike Braun, who’s as an alternative operating for governor subsequent yr.
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