Judge Orders Egg Executives to Prison 7 Years After Salmonella Outbreak
After exhausting all appeals, two egg industry executives have been ordered by a federal judge to begin their prison sentences later this summer.
In 2010, father and son duo Jack and Peter DeCoster--who ran the now-defunct Quality Egg LLC-- were believed to be behind a massive 2010 Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated eggs they distributed across the U.S. Each was found guilty of knowingly selling adulterated eggs, although both claim to have had no knowledge of doing so. As a result, an estimated 56,000 consumers fell ill, and some were even left with permanent injuries stemming from Salmonella exposure.
Now, father and son will each serve 3 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge Mark Bennett has ordered 53-year-old Peter DeCoster to report to Federal Prison Camp in Yankton, SD. He must surrender to authorities after July 30 after notification that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons is ready for his arrival.
Then, 83-year-old Jack DeCoster will serve his sentence 30 days after his son is released from custody. His time will be served at the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, NH--a location requested by DeCoster and ultimately approved by the judge.
In addition to their 3-month sentences, the DeCosters reportedly still owe $83,000 in restitution. Each has already paid criminal penalties in the amount of $100,000. Quality Egg previously paid a whopping $6.8 million fine. The company plead guilty to felony charges of distributing eggs with false expiration dates, and for bribing a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector to falsely approve eggs that did not meet federal safety standards.
A full historical summary of the 2010 nationwide egg outbreak can be found at CDC.gov.
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More on this story:
No More Appeals for Former Egg Executives
Trump's Acting Solicitor Opposes High Court Review for Decoster
Egg Producers to Spend 3 Months in Prison for 2010 Salmonella Outbreak
Egg Executives Get 3 Months in Prison for 2010 Salmonella Outbreak
Egg Firm Implicated in 2010 Salmonella Outbreak to Pay $6.8 Million Fine
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