Packer Lawsuit Against Producers Dismissed

Beef carcasses
Beef carcasses
(Texas A&M)

A pair of lawsuits filed last year involving a packing company and two producers have been dismissed following a confidential settlement.

Documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont show lawsuits filed by Walden Local, a packing company, against Suzanne Chickering and her father, Arthur Chickering III, were dismissed, and Suzanne Chickering also agreed to drop a counter-suit against Walden Local. All parties agreed that with dismissal of the suits they will pursue no further legal action.

“Suzanne is an honest, extremely hard-working young woman,” Ritchie Berger, of Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew in Burlington, VT, told Brattleboro Reformer reporter Bob Audette. “She never should have been sued in the first place. The suit deserved to be and was dismissed.”

Last May, Walden Local sued the Chickerings – who raise beef, pork and lamb – alleging a conspiracy “to falsify weight records” that led to an over-payment of more than $223,000 in 2017 and 2018. The suit alleged the Chickerings conspired with a lead cutter on the meat floor of Vermont Packinghouse to falsify weight records of the Chickering’s animals.

On behalf of Suzanne Chickering, Berger filed a counterclaim against Walden Local in June of last year, contending his client did not defraud the meat company and that, in fact, Walden Local owed Chickering money. Berger told the Brattleboro Reformer that Walden Local has settled with his client paying her an amount that remains confidential.

“Walden dismissed the suit against her (Chickering) and paid on her counterclaim, establishing there was no basis for the lawsuit they brought,” Berger said.

He told the Brattleboro Reformer Suzanne Chickering remains I business, “But I can’t imagine she would do business with Walden Local again.”

Related stories:

Meatpacker Sues Producers, Alleges Conspiracy

Farmer Claims 'Bad Faith,' Countersues Packer

 

 

Latest News

AFIA Objects to EPA’s Draft Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde
AFIA Objects to EPA’s Draft Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde

The American Feed Industry Association says formaldehyde has been "safely used in the U.S. animal food industry for over 40 years via accurate automated equipment."

Power of Meat Reports Strong Meat Consumption, Evolving Consumer Trends
Power of Meat Reports Strong Meat Consumption, Evolving Consumer Trends

The Meat Institute and FMI-The Food Industry Association released the 19th annual Power of Meat report.

Cattle Imports from Mexico
Cattle Imports from Mexico

Mexico has become one of the major beef import sources for the U.S. as beef trade evolved from simply supplementing deficit beef production in Mexico to bilateral, product specific trade between the two countries.

Markets: Cash Cattle Markets Nearing Historic Highs
Markets: Cash Cattle Markets Nearing Historic Highs

All classes of cattle sold at higher prices for the week and most are at or near record highs. Supplies of all classes remain extremely tight.

International Genetic Solutions Debuts New Informational Resource
International Genetic Solutions Debuts New Informational Resource

International Genetic Solutions (IGS) recently unveiled a new information resource and video platform for important beef industry topics pertinent to producers’ bottom lines.

Sage_Grouse_Booming
Ranchers Urge BLM to Incorporate Latest Science in New Sage Grouse Plans

NCBA and PLC are requesting that BLM significantly extend the comment period deadlines while ranchers and other local stakeholders evaluate these lengthy proposals.