Chocolate suits consolidated
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal judge and dozens of lawyers on Thursday began the process of figuring out how to consolidate nearly 80 lawsuits that claim chocolate manufacturers conspired to artificially boost prices.
U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Connor is handling cases from around the country that have been merged in Harrisburg federal court, about 10 miles from the headquarters of one of the defendants, The Hershey Co.
The manufacturers are being sued by companies that purchased chocolate directly, those that purchased chocolate indirectly, and consumers.
