x
Breaking News
More () »

5 poultry industry execs found not guilty of price fixing

A Denver jury found the executives for Greeley-based Pilgrim's Pride not guilty of conspiring to fix prices.
Credit: AP
FILE - This April 28, 2020, file photo shows a Pilgrim's Pride plant in Cold Spring. Minn. Five executives of the chicken industry have been found not guilty of conspiring to fix prices. A jury in a Denver federal court acquitted former Pilgrim’s Pride CEOs Jayson Penn and William Lovette; Roger Austin, a former Pilgrim’s vice president; Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry and Scott Brady, a Claxton vice president. (Dave Schwarz/St. Cloud Times via AP, File)

DENVER — Five executives from the poultry processing industry have been found not guilty of conspiring to fix prices.

A jury in a Denver federal court acquitted former Pilgrim’s Pride CEOs Jayson Penn and William Lovette; Roger Austin, a former Pilgrim’s vice president; Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry, and Scott Brady, a Claxton vice president.

In October 2020, Greeley-based Pilgrim's Pride reached a plea agreement with the U.S. government over charges of price-fixing in the chicken industry.

Under the agreement, Pilgrim’s Pride would pay a fine of $110.5 million as a penalty for restraining competition in three contracts with a U.S. customer. In exchange, the U.S. Department of Justice would not bring further charges against Pilgrim’s Pride or recommend a monitor or any probationary period.

Pilgrim’s Pride, based in Greeley, is a division of JBS USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Brazilian meat production giant JBS SA.

RELATED: Pilgrim's Pride replaces CEO amid price-fixing investigation

RELATED: Pilgrim’s Pride CEO among indicted for chicken price fixing

> Top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER right now to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER

Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n 

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.


Before You Leave, Check This Out