Update-Sentences Affirmed on January 23, 2018 Corp. Executive Liability Sentence Largest Ever in Food Safety History
AFFIRMED: See: United States v. Parnell, et. al, No. 15-14400 (11th Cir. Jan. 23, 2018) Click on the link for the appellate court decision. Court of Appeals Opinion
Former Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) President and Owner Stewart Parnell received a criminal prison sentence of 28 years in connection with the 2009 salmonella poisoning outbreak of 700 reported cases in 46 states. Expert evidence presented at trial detailed that there were nine deaths linked to PCAs tainted products. Parnell’s brother Michael received a 20 year prison sentence. The Quality Assurance employee received a 5 year sentence. They were sentenced based on their roles at PCA by shipping salmonella-positive peanut products and by falsifying microbiological test results. A federal jury convicted the Parnell brothers in September 2014 on several counts of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud as well as selling misbranded food. Stewart Parnell was also convicted for introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. Stewart Parnell and Quality Assurance Manager Mary Wilkerson were also convicted of obstruction of justice. According to U. S. Justice Attorney Moore, “The sentence that was handed down today [Sept. 21, 2015] means that executives will no longer be able to hide behind the corporate veil”. The direct link to the sentences in the Parnell Salmonella Tainted Peanut Product case is below and court of appeals opinion above.
AFFIRMED: See: United States v. Parnell, et. al, No. 15-14400 (11th Cir. Jan. 23, 2018 (affirmed)). Click on the link Court of Appeals Opinion
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