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ALBANY, Georgia (AP) — A U.S. man charged in connection with a 2009 salmonella outbreak in peanuts that killed nine people plans to enter a new plea.
Court records show a change of plea hearing for Samuel Lightsey is set for Wednesday in federal court in Albany, Georgia. Lightsey was the manager of Peanut Corporation of America's plant in Blakely and is accused of scheming to manufacture and ship tainted peanuts.
The subsequent salmonella outbreak caused one of the largest recalls in history and prompted the government to file criminal charges, rarely pursued in food poisoning cases because intentional contamination is hard to prove.
Lightsey faces charges including obstruction of justice, conspiracy and wire fraud. He pleaded not guilty in February 2013. Three others are charged in the case, including company owner Stewart Parnell.
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