Peanut Company owner ordered products shipped -- even after he knew they were contaminated

[nichomachus]

What I want to know is why this guy isn't behind bars right now awaiting trial for murder.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090211/ap_on_bi_ge/salmonella_outbreak

WASHINGTON – The owner of a peanut company urged his workers to ship tainted products after receiving test results identifying salmonella, according to internal company e-mails disclosed Wednesday by a House committee.

The company e-mails obtained by the House panel showed that Peanut Corp. of America owner Stewart Parnell ordered the shipments tainted with the bacteria because he was worried about lost sales.

Parnell was ordered by subpoena to appear before Congress on Wednesday to discuss the outbreak that has led to 600 illnesses, eight deaths and one of the largest recalls in history, more than 1,800 products pulled. His Georgia plant is blamed for the outbreak.

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., revealed the internal correspondence from the company during a House Energy and Commerce hearing.

How is this any different than a terrorist planting a bomb?

[Renew Deal]

1. Put him in a jail cell and feed him PB

for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, until he gets out.

[valerief]

13. Ah, a fine idea. nt

[barb162]

23. As long as the PB is from his own company. N/t

:)

[Mudoria]

2. They should roast him

[rateyes]

5. I prefer boiled.

:evilgrin:

[jmg257]

7. Dry roasted?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. watch it

your post might be deleted, even if everyone agrees with you.

[rateyes]

3. If he's smart, he'll show up for testimony and plead the 5th. nt

[Poiuyt]

27. That's exactly what he's doing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29138430/

[Snotcicles]

4. Lets outsource his trial to China. nt

[jmg257]

6. Sounds like multiple counts of Manslaughter, at the least.

Hope this scumbag goes away for a LOOONNG time

[dflprincess]

20. If he knew the product was contaminated it sounds like depraved indifference

I'd say 2nd degree murder at least. Not that I'm a lawyer, but I watch a lot of "Law & Order" and I can hear Jack McCoy saying this. (In fact, I think there is an episode where he went after a fast food chain for food contamination).

I wonder if this guy could face charges in every jurisdiction where someone died as a result of this? He killed 2 or 3 people in Minnesota, in different counties - that could be 3 trials just in one state.

[tuckessee]

9. CEO should be singing "Thank God I'm an American...."

Because if he were Chinese he'd be facing a firing squad.

[aquart]

11. And I would consider that reasonable justice.

[aquart]

10. No difference whatsoever.

It kills Americans and destroys trust in our infrastructure. People are now afraid to eat a cheap and plentiful source of nutrition.

What are the penalties for depraved indifference to human life and/or negligent homicide? This man is a murderer.

[valerief]

12. Send him to China and let them try him! nt

[davepc]

14. Not one other person at the company had a conscience and called the FDA or the FBI or anybody?

Are people so in fear for the jobs they wont do whats right?

[stanwyck]

15. And people think John Grisham novels are just fiction

I just finished listening to The Appeal on my iPod. The similarities between Grisham's 2007 novel and the peanut industry story are amazing. Just as scary is Grisham's portrayal of how the state supreme courts have been stacked to enact tort reform from the bench. In the novel, when a chemical company is found negligent in the deaths of several people due to contamination from poisonous chemicals, the corporation works in tandem with its lawyers and political strategists to make sure the award will be over turned on appeal. A ruthless campaign ensues in a state where supreme court justices are elected, not appointed. If you think this sounds far-fetched, read the novel. The campaign tactics will strike you as amazingly famiiar.
Just last week, the peanut plant's lawyers asked that their client be "protected against lawsuits." Really. You intentionally endanger the lives of people and then want protection against lawsuits. Truth is stranger than fiction.

[grannie4peace]

16. he lives here in lynchburg.

wonder if he goes to thomas road?

[FarCenter]

21. His (Stewart Parnell's) sister is Beth Falwell

Did she marry someone related to Jerry Falwell?

See http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/article/exclusive_daughter_of_peanut_corp._founder_speaks_about_salmonella_case/8757/

Daughter of Peanut Corp. founder speaks about salmonella case

[rateyes]

29. Did a little research on

whitepages.com

There is a Beth P (Parnell?) Falwell listed whose husband's name is James C. Falwell.

Both are in their mid to late 50's---the same age as Jerry Falwell's children.

However, Jerry Falwell's two sons are named Jerry, Jr., and Jonathan....no James.

However, I suppose that James C. Falwell could be a nephew???? :shrug:

[goforit]

17. Do ya think Dick Cheney put him up to it?

[KamaAina]

18. Today's Worst. Person. In The World!!

:grr: :banghead: :nuke:

[KamaAina]

19. He's rich and white, that's how

How is this any different than a terrorist planting a bomb?

Now you know. :sarcasm:

[JohnyCanuck]

25. Rich and white and odds are most likely votes Republican n/t

[zbdent]

28. what's his history of campaign contributions?

Bet there ain't a hint of blue in there, unless it's a local to "grease the wheels" ...

[TahitiNut]

22. If he's jailed, so should employees that knew. They're even less defensible for "following orders"

... than a person in the military. Yes, corporations ARE autocracies! If we can punish the grunts in the military and let the senior command skate, then it's even more wrong to let the employees off the hook.

The laws protecting "whistle-blowers" are sadly inadequate and failure to prosecute corporate employees complicit in wrong-doing just makes "whistle-blowing" less likely. That's VERY harmful in a society in which JUSTICE is desired.

[Ichingcarpenter]

24. He and his Buddy just took the 5th in the congressional hearing

He's gonna go to jail, some want him tried for manslaughter or murder.

He sent poisoned food out knowingly.

[nichomachus]

26. Well, if I was a domestic terrorist, I would too