The poultry industry executives who were indicted earlier this month on charges of price fixing have entered not guilty pleas. Those executives include Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry Farms; Scott Brady, Claxton Poultry National Accounts Sales Manager, Jayson Penn, Pilgrim’s Pride President/CEO; and Roger Austin, former Pilgrim’s vice president.
Claxton Poultry issued the following statement, per WSAV News: “The allegations attributed to our company are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend our company and its good name as this process moves forward. We will not comment further on the allegations other than to say that since our small start in 1949, we have adhered to the highest standards of food quality, professionalism, integrity and good faith in all our operations.“