Bumble Bee CEO indicted on charge he fixed canned tuna price

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — U.S. prosecutors have filed a criminal charge in San Francisco against the CEO of Bumble Bee Foods as part of an investigation into price fixing in the packaged seafood industry.

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that a grand jury indicted Christopher Lischewski on one count of price fixing. Prosecutors say Lischewski from November 2010 to December 2013 conspired with others in the industry to eliminate competition by setting prices for canned tuna.

Three other people have previously been indicted as part of the investigation.

Lischewski’s attorney, John Keker, said his client has lived a hardworking and ethical life is innocent.

Bumble Bee Foods itself last year agreed to pay a $25 million fine after pleading guilty to price fixing.