• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Business / ABC settles with BPI over ‘pink slime’ defamation lawsuit

ABC settles with BPI over ‘pink slime’ defamation lawsuit

June 28, 2017 By Radio Iowa Contributor

BPI representatives following the settlement.

The trial in the defamation lawsuit filed by Beef Products Incorporated seeking $1.9 billion from ABC Broadcasting and reporter Jim Avila came to an abrupt halt this morning with a settlement.

Judge Cheryle Gering began the day by informing the jury they were done with their work.

“The case is settled. As permitted under the law of South Dakota, neither the court, the jury or the public will be told of the terms of the settlement today,” Gering said.

Today’s settlement comes after the jury was sent home Tuesday morning because of what Gering called a “major legal issue” that came up after court adjourned following Monday’s testimony. BPI Attorney Dan Webb said the settlement vindicated the company’s lean finely textured beef product that Avila and ABC News reports had referred to as “pink slime.”

“We are extraordinarily pleased with this settlement,” Webb said. “It’s been a long road for BPI, but it is a road that was necessary…in order to rectify the harm that was caused by what we believe to be baseless and biased reporting that occurred in 2012.”

Webb told reporters the settlement also affirmed the quality of BPI’s beef product.

“We have established that this product is beef, it’s nutritious, it’s safe and it should be a component of ground beef,” Webb said. “And, by having this trial and getting this settlement, we are convinced that now the company — with this behind them — can go forward, can grow the business.”

BPI’s founder and CEO Eldon Roth declined to comment, but ABC Reporter Jim Avila spoke with the media after the settlement was announced.

“I think it’s important to note that we are not retracting anything and we are not apologizing for anything,” Avila said. “And I also want people to understand that I understand that it was a business decision and I support my company. And that is all I can say at this time.”

Avila added that he will return to work for ABC News next week. He had been in court every day for the three and a half weeks of the trial in Union County district Court in Elk Point.

(Reporting by Woody Gottburg, KSCJ, Sioux City)

Related stories:

BPI trial has a day off while court works through a legal issue

BPI defamation trial turns to economic impact of ‘pink slime’ label

Jurors hear ABC reporter’s testimony in BPI defamation trial

Depositions played for jury in BPI defamation suit against ABC

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, Crime / Courts, News Tagged With: Food

Featured Stories

Iowa delegation breaks along party lines on Trump impeachment vote

Two northeast Iowa men admit to illegally harvesting ginseng

Do you have to pay tax on your stimulus check?

All six in Iowa’s congressional delegation confirm Electoral College results

Some derecho victims eligible for federal tax breaks

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa-Michigan State postponed

Fire damage to Riverfront Stadium electrical system will cost Waterloo thousands

Iowa State at Kansas State postponed

Iowa State’s Foster to miss remainder of the season

Drake basketball season put on hold

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC