Egg Execs to Be Sentenced in Salmonella Outbreak

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two former egg industry executives are scheduled to be sentenced for their roles in a 2010 salmonella outbreak that sickened thousands.

Austin "Jack" DeCoster and his son Peter DeCoster pleaded guilty last June to misdemeanor charges of shipping adulterated food. They hope to avoid jail time when they appear in a Sioux City court Monday.

Prosecutors say the DeCosters knew their Iowa egg facilities were at risk for contamination and have argued for tough punishment because of the widespread harm caused by the outbreak.

Federal health officials linked 1,939 illnesses to the 2010 outbreak, but they estimate that up to 56,000 people may have been sickened.

The Quality Egg company agreed to pay a $6.8 million fine as part of a plea agreement, and the DeCosters will pay $100,000 apiece.