CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A federal judge out a long-running lawsuit that accused Tyson Foods, Inc. of hiring illegal immigrants to depress wages.

The Associated Press reported that U.S. District Judge Curtis L. Collier in a Wednesday order granted the Springdale, Ark.-based company's motion for a summary judgment in the 2002 damage suit.

Tyson’s attorney, Roger Dickson of Chattanooga, told the news service in a telephone interview that the company was happy with the ruling. He declined comment about any possible implications for other businesses that might face similar claims.

The attorney for four employees who sued, Howard Foster of Chicago, said when contacted by phone Wednesday by the AP that he did not have time to comment.

The judge's order said "plaintiffs failed to demonstrate Tyson was harboring or concealing illegal aliens" at its plants in Shelbyville, Tenn.; Ashland, Gadsden and Heflin in Alabama; Center, Texas; Glen Allen, Va. and Sedalia, Mo., according to the AP. The order said plaintiffs provided evidence that could have been presented to a jury to show Tyson was concealing unauthorized employees at its Corydon, Ind., facility but failed to show that Tyson's violations "caused their injuries."