Ex-Bumble Bee CEO’s bail set at $1 million

Bail was set at $1 million for the former chief executive of Bumble BeeFoods, who appeared before a California court on a charge that he conspired to fix the prices of packaged seafood.

Christopher Lischewski, who resigned as president and CEO at the tuna giant in May, also surrendered his passport Wednesday, according to documents filed with U.S. District Court Northern District of California. He has pleaded not guilty. Mr. Lischewski was indicted on May 16 by a federal grand jury. The one-count felony charges that he carried out the conspiracy by agreeing to fix the prices of packaged seafood between 2010 and 2013. The coconspirators issued price guidance in accordance with these agreements, according to the indictment.

The Department of Justice has been looking into allegations that Bumble Bee, along with Pittsburgh-based StarKist and Tri-Union Seafoods, which owns the Chicken of the Sea brand, conspired to keep the price of packaged tuna artificially high. Both Bumble Bee and Tri-Union are based in San Diego.

Retailers, grocers, wholesalers and suppliers — including Target, Kroger and O’Harabased Giant Eagle — have also alleged price fixing. Recently, Chicken of the Sea settled with Walmart, the largest retailer of canned tuna in the United States, foran undisclosed amount.

Mr. Lischewski is the fourth individual charged as a result of the federal antitrust investigation. Three former executives at tuna companies pleaded guilty in 2017: W. Scott Cameron, a former senior vice president of sales for Bumble Bee; Kenneth Worsham, a former senior vice president of trade marketing for Bumble Bee; and Stephen Hodge, former senior vice president of sales for StarKist.

In August 2017, Bumble Bee Foods pleaded guilty to its role in the conspiracy and agreed to pay a $25 million criminal fine.

Mr. Lischewski’s next hearing is set for Aug. 15.