Bruce Foods cleared of fraud allegations

Bruce Foods Corp. has been cleared of fraud allegations and won $1.1 million in the case of a chef who had a change of heart. Chef Reece Williams had alleged in a lawsuit that Bruce Foods fraudulently induced him to sell his Cajun Injector products. The New Iberia firm purchased Cajun Injector, injectable marinades that enhance the flavor of meat, seafood and poultry, in 2003. Under the contract, Williams also entered into a consulting agreement with Bruce Foods. Two years later, Williams sued, seeking up to $24 million in damages. After a five-day jury trial and two hours of deliberation before state District Judge Kay Bates in Baton Rouge, Bruce Foods prevailed. The jury found instead that Williams had breached the 2003 purchase agreement between the parties, and awarded Bruce Foods $1.1 million. Bruce Foods is one of America’s largest privately owned food manufacturers, with more than 350 products distributed throughout the world. Attorney Phil Franco, who represented Bruce Foods, says a verdict against the firm “could have damaged the business and affected many people’s livelihoods.” Adds Bruce Foods President and CEO Si Brown: “We vigorously defended any claim of fraud and always kept to the terms of our contract with Mr. Williams, and we were vindicated by the jury.”