Former executives of the Peanut Corporation of America were indicted Thursday, Feb. 21, linking them to a 2009 salmonella outbreak across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 46 states, 714 people became ill and nine people died as a result of tainted peanuts and peanut products.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors noted poor conditions at the plant, where mold and roaches were found and after the recall, the company went bankrupt. When the FDA inspectors inquired about the plant's history and operations on several occasions, the executives, Parnell, Lightsey and Wilkerson, allegedly provided answers that were false or misleading.
Four individuals were named in the 76-count indictment, including former owner and president Stewart Parnell and his brother and former vice president Michael Parnell. Plant operations manager Samuel Lightsey and plant quality assurance manager Mary Wilkerson were also charged.
"We all place a great deal of trust in the companies and individuals who prepare and package our food, often times taking it for granted that the public's health and safety interests will outweigh individual and corporate greed," said Michael Moore, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
The charges against the Parnell brothers along with Lightsey include conspiracy and wire fraud and introducing contaminated, misbranded food into the market. Charged with obstruction of justice was Wilkerson. The court documents allege that all parties misled consumers and participated in a scheme to produce and ship salmonella-contaminated peanuts and peanut products.
"When those responsible for producing or supplying our food lie and cut corners, as alleged in the indictment, they put all of us at risk, the Department of Justice will not hesitate to pursue any person whose criminal conduct risks the safety of Americans who have done nothing more than eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," said Stuart F. Delery, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division in a news release.
A file against another individual by the name of Daniel Kilgore was unsealed and found that he plead guilty on the same day charges were filed against him. Included in the file were charges of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud and the introduction of adulterated and misbranded food into interstate commerce.
