For 890 days while the government prosecuted retired Blue Bell executive Paul Kruse, that European river cruise or summer in Tuscany wasn’t an option. This week, his U.S. Passport was returned to Kruse, marking the culmination of his plea agreement ending the government’s case against him.
It is also the
Continue Reading Plea agreement brings closure to Blue Bell’s last case involving the 2015 listeriosis outbreak
— OPINION —
The United States v. Paul Kruse will be signed, sealed, and delivered at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Courtroom 4 on the Fifth Floor of the federal courthouse in Austin, TX.
Officially the proceeding is a “rearrangement plea and sentencing.” At it, federal Judge Robert
Continue Reading Letter from the Editor: The last word
In a plea deal, government attorneys agreed to drop felony fraud charges against the retired former chief executive of Blue Bell Creameries LP over a 2015 listeria outbreak that led to three deaths. In exchange, 68- year-old Paul Kruse agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge over food safety
Continue Reading Plea deal frees retired Blue Bell president from jail time or another jury trial
The Final Docket Call for the second criminal trial of Paul Kruse, the retired Blue Bell Creameries president, is set for March 31 in Austin’s Western District Court.
Federal Judge Robert Pitman signed an order that requires the 68-year-old Kruse to be present for the proceeding along with his defense
Continue Reading Austin judge issues Final Docket Call for second criminal trial of retired Blue Bell exec
Another West Texas jury will be called next April for a second criminal trial of Paul Kruse, the retired Blue Bell Creamery president from Brenham, TX.
The first jury, empaneled Aug. 1 this year, was not able to reach a unanimous agreement, ending in a mistrial after it broke 10-to-2
Continue Reading New trial set for former chief of Blue Bell after first concluded with a hung jury
— ANALYSIS —
Today the U.S. Court for the Western District of Texas is giving its first attention since Aug. 15 to the criminal case involving former Blue Bell chief Paul Kruse.
“The court hereby sets and directs the parties, or counsel acting on their behalf, to appear by phone
Continue Reading Court action in case against former Blue Bell chief continues despite hung jury
— COMMENTARY —
The jury is hung. The judge declared a mistrial. The prosecution can try again, but it isn’t required.
We could leave it there. As one famous Texan said, it might be the prudent thing to do. But what fun would that be?
We’ve been covering the United
Continue Reading Is Kruse the ‘Bright Line’ case for the food safety community or not?
BULLETIN — The United States v. Paul Kruse trial in Austin, Texas ended Monday in a mistrial.
The jury apparently split 10-to-2 with the majority wanting to acquit the 67-year-old retired president of Blue Bell Creameries, based in Brenham, Texas. He was tried on federal felony counts of conspiracy and
Continue Reading Blue Bell criminal trial ends in mistrial
The United States v Paul Kruse trial in Austin, TX, has adjourned for the weekend. It will continue at 8:30 a.m. Monday, when presumably the jury will resume deliberations.
The jury consists of 12 men and four women, including four alternates. Its task is to decide the guilt or innocence
Continue Reading In Austin, Texas, the trial of the retired Blue Bell president adjourns for the weekend
AUSTIN — Richard S. “Ricky” Dickson, the current President at Blue Bell Creameries, testified Wednesday as a government witness against his predecessor and one-time mentor, Paul Kruse.
Dickson took over from Kruse in 2017 at the Brenham, TX, company known for its flagship brand of Blue Bell ice creams.
He
Continue Reading Blue Bell president” Ricky” Dickson testifies as government witness against his “friend”
