A U.S. poultry producer is the first to plead guilty to conspiracy to fix prices and bid-rigging for broiler chicken products.  The Justice Department says Pilgrim’s Pride agreed to a plea agreement, which if accepted by the courts will mean a nearly 108-million-dollar fine.

The agreement comes after investigation by the agency’s antitrust division, the FBI, the Department of Commerce, and the USDA.

Justice Department officials say ten executives and employees at major chicken producers were charged in the ongoing investigation. 

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