GUILTY PLEA: Manager Bribed USDA Inspector

The manager of an egg farm linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak admits he is guilty of bribing a federal inspector.

Sixty one-year-old Tony Wasmund entered the plea in a Sioux City courtroom Wednesday.

Wasmund admitted he authorized the disbursement of $300 from a Wright County egg production facility knowing the cash would be used to bribe a USDA inspector.

The bribe was intended to influence the inspector to release eggs for sale that didn’t meet USDA standards.

Shortly after, the Wright County facility was linked to a salmonella outbreak.

In 2010, it prompted the recall of 550-million eggs.  About 2,000 people were sickened.