Prosecutors want to send Stewart Parnell, former CEO of Peanut Corporation of America, to jail for life for crimes including conspiracy and obstruction of justice in connection with a salmonella outbreak that left nine people dead and more than 700 sick in 2008 and 2009.
Parnell was convicted last year for crimes connected to the outbreak, which spread through peanut butter that he and other employees knew was tainted with the deadly disease. Parnell is scheduled for sentencing in September.
The U.S. Department of Justice released a 76-count indictment this week outlining allegations that Parnell and company employees hid lab results, ignored warning signs and forged documents to cover their tracks.
An attorney for the victims told the Associated Press that a life sentence for crimes in a food case is "unprecedented."
The indictment comes after a stern warning from the Justice Department earlier this month saying food companies that poison customers would face serious criminal and civil penalties.
Read More:
- Former Peanut Plant Executive Faces Life Sentence For Lethal Salmonella Coverup (Washington Post)
- Life Sentence Sought for Tainted Peanut CEO (Newsweek)
- Unprecedented Life Sentence Recommended For Peanut Executive (Food Safety Magazine)
