The former head of Blue Bell Creameries is facing criminal charges in connection with an outbreak of food poisoning in ice cream that killed three people in 2015.
Paul Krause, former president and CEO of Blue Bell, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Texas on seven counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. The charges have been pending since this spring, when Blue Bell agreed to pay a $19.35 million fine, the second-largest in history in contamination case.
Listeria contamination in Blue Bell ice cream products killed three people and sickened 10 in 2015. The indictment charges that Kruse covered up the incident, ordering Blue Bell product removed from stores without telling trade customers why.
Kruse’s attorney maintained his innocence to CNN. Blue Bell declined comment.
