Former Owner of SK Foods Scott Salyer Sentenced to Six Years in Prison
Sacramento, CA-
By ANUK Staff
2.13.13
Frederick Scott Salyer of SK Foods LP has been sentenced to six years in prison in federal court in Sacramento for racketeering.
SK Foods LP grew, processed, and sold millions of pounds of tomato paste globally. The “Tomato King’s” organization also used bribes and kickbacks to sway purchasing officers at other food companies to buy his products.
Employees also falsified data on lab results to increase sales value. Mold counts, production dates, and organic status were all falsified, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
“Scott Salyer used bribery and fraud to deceive his customers about SK Foods’ products in order to maximize his profits,” U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in a news release “Over a period of years, he turned his company into a machine of corruption and economic crime. This case is ending, but our efforts to ensure the integrity of the agriculture and food processing industry in this region will continue
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton also ordered a forfeiture of $3.45 million from Salyer. A restitution hearing has been set for March 9. Salyer is scheduled to surrender to custody April 9.
“This case is a prime example where public trust was breached by corporate greed,” Herbert Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento Division of the FBI, said in a news release.
“Mr. Salyer and his co-conspirators ripped off consumers and reaped big profits by manipulating prices on millions of pounds of processed tomatoes,” IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jose Martinez said in a news release.
Salyer raised issues about his case, including whether the evidence against him was obtained lawfully. The judge barred Salyer’s efforts to suppress the evidence gathered wiretap and search warrant applications.
Salyer pleaded guilty March 23, 2012. Ten other defendants have pleaded guilty.
