Salmonella Eggs Scandal Rocks Iowa
Quality Egg LLC, an Iowa-based egg production company, and its top executives have pleaded guilty to distributing adulterated eggs across state lines. The company and its leaders, Austin ‘Jack’ DeCoster and Peter DeCoster, admitted to selling shell eggs contaminated with Salmonella Enteriditis, a poisonous and deleterious substance that can render eggs injurious to health.
According to court documents, Quality Egg employees gave cash bribes to a USDA inspector in an attempt to influence the release of retained eggs that failed to meet minimum USDA quality grade standards. The eggs were eventually sold to customers in California, Arizona, and other states.
The company also pleaded guilty to introducing misbranded eggs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud. Quality Egg admitted to labeling egg shipments with false expiration dates, misleading state regulators and retail customers about the true age of the eggs.
As part of its plea agreement, Quality Egg acknowledged that it sold shell eggs contaminated with Salmonella Enteriditis between 2010 and August 2010. The company produced, processed, held, and packed the contaminated eggs in Iowa and sold them to buyers in other states.
Austin ‘Jack’ DeCoster and Peter DeCoster each pleaded guilty to one count of introducing adulterated eggs into interstate commerce. The two executives, who are related, admitted to their roles in the scandal and will face sentencing at a later date.
The USDA inspector who received the bribes has passed away, but the case serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety regulations and the consequences of breaking them. Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery and U.S. Attorney Kevin W. Techau announced the plea agreement, which marks a significant victory for consumers and regulators.
In a related case, former Quality Egg employee Tony Wasmund pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe a public official, sell restricted eggs with intent to defraud, introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce with intent to defraud, and mislead. Wasmund is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2014.
RELATED: GulfSouth Bank Execs Cook the Books, Face Decades in Prison
Related Federal Cases
- Quality Egg Bosses Guilty in Adulterated Eggs Scandal · Iowa
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Thaddeus Lee, et al. Face Decades in Prison for Bank Fraud Scheme · Indiana
- Thaddeus Lee Sentenced for $15M Bank Fraud Scheme · Indiana
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Food Poisoning|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News