In a shocking case of corporate greed, Austin ‘Jack’ DeCoster, 81, and his son Peter DeCoster, 51, were sentenced to three months in prison for their role in distributing adulterated eggs in Iowa.
The pair, along with their company Quality Egg LLC, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official, one count of introducing a misbranded food into interstate commerce with intent to defraud, and one count of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce.
The adulterated eggs, which contained Salmonella Enteriditis, were linked to approximately 1,939 reported consumer illnesses in multiple states during the spring and summer of 2010. The outbreak led to the August 2010 recall of millions of eggs produced by the defendants.
Austin DeCoster was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $83,008.19 in restitution. His son Peter DeCoster was also fined $100,000 and ordered to pay the same amount in restitution. Quality Egg LLC was sentenced to pay a fine of $6.79 million and placed on probation for three years.
The government argued that Quality Egg personnel had disregarded food safety standards and practices for years, and had misled major customers, including Walmart, about the company’s food safety practices.
U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau said, ‘The message this prosecution and sentence sends is a stern one to anyone tempted to place profits over people’s welfare. Corporate officials are on notice. If you sell contaminated food, you will be held responsible for your conduct.’
Austin DeCoster and his son Peter DeCoster were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett in the Northern District of Iowa on [DATE]. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prioritizing profits over public safety.
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Food Safety|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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