DOJ requests another hold on tuna antitrust lawsuits
StarKist, Dongwon and Bumble Bee recently replaced their legal teams.
Parties involved in the ongoing tuna price-fixing, antitrust lawsuit will have to wait longer to move forward with the case as the US Department of Justice (DOJ) continues its investigation.
On Tuesday the court granted the US government's motion to intervene and its limited discovery stay because "there is an ongoing criminal grand jury investigation involving packaged seafood products."
The court decision prevents discovery to be conducted for anything related to the DOJ investigation, "including any party’s or witness’ communications with the United States or with the grand jury investigating packaged seafood."
The DOJ proposed its third limited stay on deposition discovery at Wednesday's status conference.
The proposal involves certain depositions proceeding after the current stay expires Sept. 30, while other depositions are stayed until no later than March 30. Certain depositions are allowed, such as those from non-parties and plaintiffs.
Some of the tuna defendants replaced its legal teams recently, according to court documents filed last week on Thursday.
StarKist and Dongwon replaced Latham & Watkins LLP with Hogan Lovells US LLP while Bumble Bee dropped O’Melveny & Myers LLP for Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
The plaintiffs and defendants met and submitted a Joint Status Conference Statement last Thursday. The status conference was set for Sept. 6 and parties will decide on an amended schedule for the case by Sept. 20.
A second revised joint motion for case management will be submitted on Sept. 26. If there is any disagreement, there will be a hearing early October.
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