The third federal trial for five past and present poultry industry executives ended with a verdict in which all five defendants were found not guilty.
The jury took about a day and half after receiving instructions from the judge to reach their verdict on the indictment, which charged the men with entering into and engaging “in a continuing combination and conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by rigging bids and fixing prices and other price-related terms for broiler chicken products sold in the United States.”
The individuals acquitted are Jayson Penn and William Lovette, both former Pilgrim’s Pride CEOs; Mikell Fries and Scott Brady, president and vice president of Claxton Poultry, respectively; and Roger Austin, a former vice president at Pilgrim’s.
“Obviously, we’re very pleased with the verdict,” said Michael Feldberg, an attorney representing Austin. “The jury reached the right result, and justice has been served.”
The Justice Department said in a statement that “although we are disappointed in the verdict, we will continue to vigorously enforce the antitrust laws, especially when it comes to price-fixing schemes that affect core staples. We will not be deterred from continuing to vigilantly pursue cases to protect the American people and our markets.”
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