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US: Class secures $4.6M in charcoal price-fixing damages

By  |  December 8, 2014

A class action has secured a $4.6 million settlement from several mesquite charcoal companies accused of manipulating prices, say reports.

Chef’s Choice Mesquite Charcoal, California Charcoal and Firewood, and Lazzari Fuel will all pay their share of the settlement; Chef’s Choie will pay the largest portion with $2.2 million.

US District Judge William Alsup ruled Thursday to tentatively approve the settlement that settles the class action allegations and removes the companies from liability for future legal claims regarding the accusations.

The class, made up of anyone who purchased mesquite coal from the companies between 2000 and 2011, argued that the three firms colluded to hike product prices, leading to overcharges of a combined $8.26 million, according to reports. The class was headed by Il Fornaio, Oliveto Partners and The Famous Enterprise Fish Company of Santa Monica.

Full content: Courthouse News Service

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