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Statement by Mr. Al Almanza, Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service
June 26, 2009
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Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bridgette Keefe
Bridgette.Keefe@fsis.usda.gov
"On May 21, 2009, a Clayton County, Ga., jury found William Cunningham guilty of poisoning his two
young children in 2006 in an attempt to acquire money from a soup company. The Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) was an active participant in both the federal and state cases.
"Cunningham initiated several consumer complaints to FSIS to bolster his claims that certain soup products made
his children sick. FSIS takes its public health responsibilities seriously, and reviews all consumer complaints
received in its monitoring system. After an initial inquiry into these complaints, FSIS noticed irregularities and
confirmed there were signs of tampering. FSIS officials worked in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration and the
local police to present a case to the U.S. Department of Justice.
"Cunningham plead guilty to making false claims and received a five-year federal prison sentence, and a state
jury found him guilty on seven counts of aggravated assault and child cruelty charges. He will begin to serve a
100-year sentence in the state prison after he completes the five-year sentence in a federal prison for making
false claims in tampering with a consumer product.
"FSIS extends its appreciation to all parties involved with the investigation that led to Cunningham's
conviction. Federal officials provided important evidence that proved vital to the successful prosecution of
this case."
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Last Modified:
June 29, 2009 |
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