042: Pilgrim’s Pride fined $108 million for antitrust violations.

Situation

This case study profiles Greeley, Colorado-based chicken producer Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (PPC).

Ten executives at two leading United States broiled chicken producers conspired to keep prices of their products artificially high. Multiple federal agencies investigated Pilgrim’s Pride and found it sold more than $360 million in broiled chicken products during the period reviewed. Those sales violated the Sherman Act because of the artificially high pricing. In this case study, we see the repercussions to Pilgrim’s Pride and its former president and CEO, Jayson Penn.

The information discussed here comes from Department of Justice (DOJ) and USDA press releases, the Plea Agreement between PPC and the DOJ, and one news article.