Federal regulators are alleging a major oil company CEO conspired with foreign governments to keep oil and gas prices high. On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against John B.

US regulators will allow Chevron Corp. to move forward with its $53 billion acquisition of Hess Corp. but are barring Chief Executive Officer John Hess from joining the supermajor’s board, saying he improperly communicated with OPEC.

The Federal Trade Commission said the oil giant can acquire the smaller company as long as the chief executive of Hess does not join its board.

The Federal Trade Commission said in a statement Monday that Hess communicated with the cartel and its allies, praising their efforts to stabilize oil production and reduce inventories, moves that typically raise prices.

The FTC on Monday alleged that John Hess encouraged OPEC representatives to draw down inventories, which would result in higher oil prices. Hess Corp. and Chevron have agreed that they will not appoint Hess to the board in order to facilitate the completion of the merger.