Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Motorized Rotating Display Stand for Jewelry Buy Now
COOFANDY Mens Short Sleeve Shirts Buy Now
5pc Turtleneck Long Sleeve Tees Buy Now
Sunglasses Polarized UV Protection Buy Now
Steel Toe Lightweight Shoes Buy Now
Anne Klein Diamond Bangle Watch Buy Now
Gold Pearl Bridal Jewelry Set Buy Now
ZENOTTIC Polarized Sunglasses Buy Now
Ecosmart Fleece Full-zip Hoodie Buy Now
High-Waisted Chiffon A-Line Skirt Buy Now
Summer Vacation Resort Maxi Dresses Buy Now
Women's Active Mini Dress Buy Now
JMIERR Mens Cotton Linen Shirt Buy Now
Softshell Flight Bomber Jacket Coat Buy Now
CRZ Yoga Butterluxe Leggings Buy Now
Y2K Crop Tops Buy Now
10.1" Octa-Core Tablet with Keyboard & Mouse Buy Now
2024 Ultrasonic Pest & Insect Repeller (6-Pack) Buy Now
Blackview MP60 Mini PC Intel Buy Now
Rimless Rectangle Sunglasses for Men Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Judge fully dismisses U.S. lawsuit against N.B.'s Cooke Inc.

Judge fully dismisses U.S. lawsuit against N.B.'s Cooke Inc.

CBC
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 2:41 PM GMT

A federal judge in New York has found the arguments made in a lawsuit against a large New Brunswick seafood company to be false and ordered the case closed.

Saint John-based Cooke Inc. was sued last July for its involvement in the menhaden fishery in Virginia. The lawsuit alleged Cooke knowingly defrauded the U.S. government by creating shell companies to operate the fishery of a small baitfish used to make fishmeal, fish oil and other products.

U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman dismissed the case because he found that not only did the plaintiffs not prove foreign ownership beyond a doubt, but also that the fish and fishing licences that Cooke was allegedly defrauding the government of cannot legally be considered property. 

"Cooke Inc. is pleased that the court has dismissed this baseless lawsuit, which we have always maintained was without merit," Joel Richardson, company spokesperson, wrote in an emailed statement on behalf of Cooke Inc. and Omega Protein.

"For over a decade, the individuals behind this lawsuit have repeatedly targeted menhaden harvesters and processors to undermine a sustainable and essential sector of the fishing industry."

It was filed by Chris Manthey of New York and W. Chiles Benson of New Jersey as a qui tam lawsuit, which allows private citizens to file a case on behalf of the U.S. government as whistleblowers under the U.S. False Claims Act.

The lawsuit described Manthey as a "professional investigator and researcher" and Benson as someone working in the fisheries management industry who "occasionally receives non-public information" about fishing companies, including Cooke and Omega.

The premise of the lawsuit was based around Cooke-affiliated companies operating a menhaden fishery in Chesapeake Bay.

Cooke has owned Omega Protein in Virginia since 2017. Omega is affiliated with another company that operates the menhaden fishery.

The lawsuit alleged Cooke was violating the American Fisheries Act, which requires 75 per cent of a company fishing in the U.S. to be owned by a U.S. citizen.

The lawsuit also alleged that the total value Omega had fished while "falsely certifying compliance" with U.S. citizenship laws exceeded $2 billion between 2017, when Cooke bought it, and 2021, when the lawsuit was launched.

The lawsuit said the alleged scheme was accomplished through a restructuring of Omega after the 2017 purchase by transferring Omega vessels to another company, Ocean Harvesters.

That company was then sold to a shell company called Alpha VesselCo, operating as Ocean Fleet Services, in Delaware, which the lawsuit said is 20 per cent owned by Omega and 80 per cent owned by U.S. citizen Seth Dunlop. The lawsuit claimed Dunlop was "a figurehead," a longtime Cooke employee and nephew of Cooke CEO Glenn Cooke.

Cooke Inc., Cooke Aquaculture, Omega Protein, Ocean Harvesters, Ocean Fleet Services and Dunlop were named in the suit.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
What's at the heart of Sask.'s early wildfire season? Humans, in more ways than one

Four in five of the wildfires so far in Saskatchewan this year have been caused by humans — the vast majority of them accidentally. But experts say part of the reason they've spread so far, so fast, is another human factor: climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels.

Border city of Lloydminster united through gardening

Just a block away from the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan there's a garden uniting green thumbs in Lloydminster. 

Rare spirit bear cub living near B.C. highway stirs excitement, concern, as word of its existence spreads

Shelley Lindaas has long dreamed of seeing a Kermode bear cub in person.

'He did not deserve this,' says friend of Erixon Kabera after SIU clears officers who killed him

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) report outlining the events leading to the death of Erixon Kabera answered some questions for his family and friends, but many remain.

'Unacceptable': Some of Windsor's parking meters are wrong — but people are still getting tickets

Syed Hassan says he doesn't like to complain much. But when his wife told him she got a parking ticket on Thursday night, he knew he needed to speak out. 

Sex assault trial reforms followed Ghomeshi case. Some experts worry Hockey Canada trial could spark more

Following the public outcry over the Jian Ghomeshi case, some legal scholars and sexual assault survivor advocates lauded changes made to the Criminal Code that would prevent defence lawyers from surprising complainants at trial with past emails or text messages with the defendant.

The word 'family' has caused controversy for this Ontario school board. Here's why

The Waterloo Region District School Board has been talking a lot about the word "family" this month.

As some restaurants ditch seed oils for beef tallow, UPEI prof warns it's no health upgrade

At Pedro's Island Eatery in North Rustico, owner Pedro Gameiro has long been not a fan of using seed oils for frying

Yukon First Nations graduation turns 50

The parking lot of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse was full on Friday, and the building surrounded by well-dressed young people and their proud families. Despite the smoky conditions in the city, there was much to celebrate. 

Toronto should allow sixplexes to bring 'gentle density' to city, council committee says

Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city.

Why removing a dead deer from the Thames River wasn't a situation of passing the buck

Warning: Some readers may find photos in this story distressing.

Can the G7 leaders still find anything to agree about?

Fifty years ago this fall the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States met in a castle outside Paris for three days of meetings, at the conclusion of which they issued the Declaration of Rambouillet, a 15-point statement of principles and commitments.

'It's escalating every minute': Iranian woman living in N.L. watches conflict with worry

An Iranian woman living in Newfoundland and Labrador says she's watching attacks between Israel and Iran with worry for her family back home.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Protesters hold 'people's forum' in Calgary ahead of G7, prepare for Sunday march

On the final day before G7 leaders gather in Kananaskis, Alta., activists and community groups met in downtown Calgary on Saturday afternoon for a "people's forum" that took aim at the priorities of G7 leaders.

P.E.I. optometrist goes mobile to serve care homes in Prince County

An Island optometrist has gone mobile, providing on-site eye exams at long-term and community care homes across western P.E.I..

Funeral held for 3 children killed in alleged impaired driving crash

The Laviña-Galve family held a joint funeral in Scarborough on Saturday for three children killed last month in an alleged impaired driving crash on Highway 401. 

Canadians urged to 'avoid all travel' to Israel amid escalating hostilities with Iran

The federal government is urging Canadians to "avoid all travel" to Israel as the country exchanges missile and air strikes with Iran.

Ontario Pride groups say extra federal security dollars now necessary to run safe events

For a third year in a row, $1.5 million in federal funding is being made available to local and national Pride organizations to pay for increased security at festivals and parades celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

2 Minnesota lawmakers and spouses shot in their homes, ex-state House Speaker and husband dead: governor

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed Saturday in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded.

Information about TFSA contribution limits now available, says the CRA

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) says it has resolved an issue that prevented people from seeing how much contribution room they had left in their tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs).

He thought he was calling Air Canada. The airline says it wasn't them

A Stellarton, N.S., man says he was baffled when he discovered his $2,000 non-refundable airline ticket to Texas was cancelled.

Heat-pump scheme banned in Ontario snares Miramichi homeowner

Theresa Marcotte now regrets her decision four years ago to have two heat pumps installed in her Miramichi home. 

Here comes the MPP: Ontario bill could let politicians officiate weddings

Cut the red tape and cue the white dress.

More than 400 Manitoba infants got measles vaccine since eligibility expanded: province

More than 400 children under the age of one have received the measles vaccine in Manitoba since the government expanded eligibility for the shot last month due to a growing number of cases. 

Experts say Sask. wildfires could remain ablaze until snowfall

Wildfires continue to rage in northern Saskatchewan as the province faces its worst fire season in more than a decade.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us