Updates - Peanut Corporation of America

[LinksEtc]

We had a long thread about this at hyperboards ... probably not worth bringing over, but here are a few updates ...


Tweeted by @bmarler

"Ex-Georgia peanut plant manager says he lied to FDA investigators during salmonella outbreak"
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/271262521.html

"I was trying to play damage control, trying to protect the company," Lightsey testified at the trial of his former boss and company owner Stewart Parnell, and two others.

-------------------------------


@bmarler

"Salmonella Trial Illustrates Glaring Holes in Food Safety Control"
http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/08/salmonella-trial-illustrates-glaring-holes-food-safety-control/

As the first federal criminal trial related to food-borne illnesses enters its third week, witnesses reveal a lack of regulatory oversight and unpalatable details of production at the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), the company responsible for causing a 2008-2009 outbreak of Salmonella that killed nine and sickened over 700.

[LinksEtc]

@foodsafetynews

"In the Dark: Witness Says Kellogg's Didn't Know What it was Getting From PCA"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/08/kelloggs-did-not-know-what-it-was-getting-from-pca/?utm_content=buffere61de&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.U-04wH-9KSN

"I can handle Kellogg's," Parnell reportedly told Lightsey. "We've been shipping to them with false COAs (false certificates of analysis) since before you got here. I'll handle Kellogg's. Don't worry about it."

----------------------------------


"PCA's Former Plant Manager Cross-Examined by Defense Team"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/08/pcas-former-plant-manager-undergoes-cross-examination-by-defense/#.U_SVnX-9KSN

On Tuesday, defense attorneys for the three former PCA executives on trial for a total of 71 federal felonies got their chance to cross-examine him.

[LinksEtc]

"When Food Kills – CNN Covers Salmonella Peanut Butter Trial"

http://www.marlerblog.com/legal-cases/when-food-kills-cnn-covers-salmonella-peanut-butter-trial/#.VAM-yn-9KSN

----

"Peanut butter killed his mom; now son watches company brass stand trial"

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/30/us/peanut-salmonella-trial/index.html?sr=sharebar_twitter

Almer said he has only one question for Parnell: "Was the greed worth it?"

[LinksEtc]

Judge: Subpoenas of PCA's Past Lawyers Now 'Potentially Moot'
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/09/judge-sands-says-subpoena-of-lawyers-in-pca-case-is-now-potentially-moot/#.VBgkTfldWSo

With jury deliberations on a break until Thursday morning, one set of defense attorneys involved in the criminal trial of three former Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) executives appear certain of victory. These are defense attorneys the jury has never seen since they are former PCA business lawyers who, behind the scenes in the trial, have been resisting turning over documents they may hold involving the defendants.

[Macabre]

CEO Stuart Parnell was convicted. I meant to post about it. I saw it come through on my work Twitter feed.

[ajasfolks2]

So much for having our food industry police itself most of the time, huh?

[ajasfolks2]

I firmly believe that for our FOOD SUPPLY in this country we (Americans) definitely are operating with a false sense of security.

We are so vulnerable there . . . all it's gonna take is someone purely evil to do something to a particular food/component and the results could be horrific for many.  Thousands.  Millions.

Not trying to be doomsday about it, but we're sittin' ducks there, among other places.

[LinksEtc]

"Jury Verdicts: Guilty, Guilty, and Guilty in PCA Criminal Trial"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/09/guilty-guilty-and-guilty-in-pca-criminal-trial-in-albany-ga/#.VCRNS3-9KSN

Former Peanut Corporation of Americaowner Stewart Parnell, his brother and one-time peanut broker, Michael Parnell, and Mary Wilkerson, former quality control manager at the company's Blakely, GA, plant, were all found guilty today by a federal jury in Albany, GA.

[LinksEtc]

I firmly believe that for our FOOD SUPPLY in this country we (Americans) definitely are operating with a false sense of security.

We are so vulnerable there . . . all it's gonna take is someone purely evil to do something to a particular food/component and the results could be horrific for many.  Thousands.  Millions.

Not trying to be doomsday about it, but we're sittin' ducks there, among other places.

I can't think about that topic, those topics.  It makes my heart hurt too much.  I will stick to the topic of FA.

[LinksEtc]

Tweeted by @foodanddruglaw

"3 Guilty In Ga. Salmonella-Tainted Peanut Trial"
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/152f3af7bbd046ad8f3b9ab55691a558/deliberations-resume-ga-salmonella-trial

"Corporate officials are now on notice that they'll be held to account for their conduct and claims of ignorance of arguments that 'I was too busy' or maybe that 'I delegated the responsibility to someone else' or even just finger-pointing in general will not be a shield from basic responsibility," said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore, whose office in Georgia's Middle District prosecuted the case.

[LinksEtc]

"Letter From the Editor: Week Eight of the PCA Trial"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/09/letter-from-the-editor-week-eight-of-the-pca-trial/#.VCTgAn-9KSN

Almost six years ago, when the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak began, Stewart Parnell was a member in good standing of USDA's Peanut Standards Board, advising the Secretary of Agriculture on the quality and handling of both imported and domestic peanuts.

The folks at the involved trade associations may look at their feet when and if the topic ever comes up, but now it's fair to say that certain food industry leaders from such staple industries as peanuts, beef, eggs, and fresh fruit have landed where they belong — inside a federal criminal court.

[LinksEtc]

"Jury Verdicts: Guilty, Guilty, and Guilty in PCA Criminal Trial"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/09/guilty-guilty-and-guilty-in-pca-criminal-trial-in-albany-ga/#.VCToQH-9KSN

[LinksEtc]

"PCA Defendant Asks Judge to Overturn Obstruction Conviction"
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/10/wilkerson-wants-judge-to-overturn-jury-on-her-remaining-obstruction-conviction/#.VDa7a3-9KSN

"Defendant Wilkerson hereby shows that the Government never produced a recording, time log, video, affidavit, statement or any type of record of the alleged interview by an unnamed FDA Inspector of Defendant Wilkerson as it was stated in Count 73 nor did it produce a witness, law enforcement, or other FDA Inspector to collaborate Agent Gray's alleged interview of Defendant Wilkerson, as alleged in Count 73," Ledford states.

[LinksEtc]

Parnell Brothers Want New Trial
Defense claims jury considered 'extrinsic evidence'

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2014/10/stewart-and-michael-parnell-want-a-new-trial/#.VDdBgX-9KSN

Stewart and Michael Parnell have joined in a motion for a new trial filed by defense attorney Thomas J. Bondurant Jr.