The company which owns the StarKist Samoa fish cannery in American Samoa has been fined $US100 million for price fixing.
StarKist workers Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
StarKist had argued that it couldn't pay more than $US50 million.
But US District Court Judge Edward Chen found StarKist had not proven that its financial circumstances justified a lower fine.
StarKist has also agreed to cooperate in the US Justice Department's ongoing investigation into price fixing.
More than 2000 production workers at American Samoa's Starkist cannery will be without work or pay cheques for a week.
StarKist, which runs a tuna cannery in American Samoa, says paying a fine of over $US50 million would jeopardize its continued viability.
The president and chief executive of Starkist, Andrew Choe, has "reaffirmed" the company's commitment to remain in American Samoa, despite the continuing challenges it faces in a very competitive…
A new report from American Samoa's government says the territory must diversify its economy or face a potential economic disaster.
A major tuna cannery in American Samoa is defending the hiring of hundreds of workers from neighbouring Samoa.
for ad-free news and current affairs
