A federal court in Georgia charged four employees of the Virginia-based Peanut Corporation of America with conspiracy, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice, among other convictions related to the contamination of or misbranding of food.
Those indicted were Stewart Parnell, owner of the company, Michael Parnell, Peanut Corp.’s vice president, Georgia plant manager Samuel Lightsey, and Mary Wilkerson, the Georgia plant quality assurance manager.
The Parnells and Lightsey faced charges of conspiring to defraud customers, and falsely and fraudulently trying to obtain money. Wilkerson, on the other hand, was indicted under an obstruction of justice charge. According to court records, the company did not tell customers that their peanut products had tested positively for salmonella, despite having already shipped the products out. Emails that were sent between the defendants discussing the salmonella contamination were used during the indictment.
At least 100 salmonella victims have been given a portion of the $12 million insurance settlement awarded by a federal judge in 2010.
Unfortunately, food manufacturers do not always produce and market food that is safe to consume. As a result, innocent consumers are harmed. If you were harmed by this salmonella outbreak or other dangerous food products, speak with a lawyer from Spiros Law, P.C., about your legal options. Call 217-443-4343 to find out if you’re entitled to obtain financial compensation.
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