Feds admit harassing small Butte meat plant, but take no action

Missoulian ^ | Sep 17, 2017 | DAVID McCUMBER

[artichokegrower]

As a boy growing up in Butte, Bart Riley loved spending time at the family business, Riley Meats, on West Park Street. Young Bart and his siblings would help out cleaning the shop after his father was done cutting meat for the day.

[artichokegrower]

"With regard to the 11 allegations regarding willful harassment, (FSIS) concluded that three allegations were not substantiated, five allegations were substantiated and three allegations were inconclusive."

She added, "With regard to the eight allegations regarding … willful or intentional acts to intimidate or otherwise coerce or torment you, (FSIS) concluded that three allegations were not substantiated, one allegation was substantiated, two allegations were partly substantiated and two allegations were inconclusive."

She concluded, "While I appreciate the concerns mentioned in your complaint, it is my finding that each of the issues mentioned have been addressed in an acceptable manner. Based on the results of my findings, I plan to take no further action on your complaint."

Come on Trump. Time to fire some federal employees for harassing citizens.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Comes in a town that voted overwhelmingly for Kankles! I’m very familiar with Butte!

[lee martell]

I need to finish my morning coffee, then come back to re-read. I’m seeing: “Feds admit harassing small Buttes”. (Sarc)

[blueunicorn6]

The story says this happened in 2006 and 2008.

[P.O.E.]

I guess the name “Butte Meat” was already taken?

[Delta 21]

I will not stand for federal willfull harassment of butt meat!

When is this madness gonna stop !!????

[ameribbean expat]

Minority women disproportionately affected...

[pinkandgreenmom]

And the gays. Don’t forget the gays.

[\/\/ayne]

The Food Safety and Inspection Service employee Jeffrey Legg is obviously a maniacal control freak who willfully violates the law every day in his mad quest for power.

The hapless meat plants apparently didn't know how to deal with him. Even the Governor didn't know.

Well, gee willikers, I know. it's your Representatives and Senators.

The food leaders should have researched whomever was affected by "Legg's regs" and communicated. They should have documented every ridiculous thing he did and got names of all his employees for further investigations.
Then just send all that to your Congressman and call them every day. The Finger Of Blame goes first to Legg for being a maniac. Then the next finger goes to the food businesses if they didn't complain. If they did, the Finger of Blame goes to the Representatives, then the Senators. It remains pointed at them until the maniacal control freak is dealt with.

[riverrunner]

I had a friend with a small processing plant in Miles City MT. he was harassed out of business in the same way.

[Olog-hai]

… But then one day he noticed that he was getting Daily's bacon delivered from Missoula on wooden pallets, and he knew the large Daily’s Premium Meats plant was federally inspected.

So Riley took a closer look at FSIS regulations. And he discovered that nowhere in the federal rules did it specify that wooden pallets were unacceptable.

Now more than a little irritated, Riley checked further. Ultimately, he discovered that none of the work Legg had told him he needed to do was based on federal regulations — not the wall coverings, not the concrete, not the steel carts, none of it.

Further, he would discover with more research that Jeffrey Legg was known within the agency for making arbitrary pronouncements that were not rooted in the rules. …

This Legg guy needs an extended vacation in a federal prison.

[DesertRhino]

Didn’t know how to deal with him? Its a monument to their decency that he wasn’t whacked in a tragic “carjacking” while pumping gas.

[artichokegrower]

Part Two:

‘Legg regs’ take their toll on plants throughout Montana

http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/legg-regs-take-their-toll-on-plants-throughout-montana/article_4a5a8462-c69b-5c6e-bb69-77d5635ffc6f.html

[headstamp 2]

[Further, he would discover with more research that Jeffrey Legg was known within the agency for making arbitrary pronouncements that were not rooted in the rules.] …

Then why wasn’t he disciplined or fired?

[American in Israel]

Sue the inspection office for all expenses related to construction to meet mandatory upgrades that were not mandated by law.

[60Gunner]

Come on Trump. Time to fire some federal employees for harassing citizens.

You know that that isn't going to happen. We need to start harassing federal employees en masse.

[William Tell]

I seem to recall complaints similar to these written up about 200 years ago. It was in something called “The Declaration of Independence”. The authorities at the time rejected the claims and took retaliatory steps. I do recall that things turned out well in the end; at least for a while.

[Rebelbase]

Sounds more like there was some kick-backs being paid by the mega processors to have the little guys shut down.

[Don W]

This guy Legg needs a personal lesson in the “SSS” rule...

[Noumenon]

The Food Safety and Inspection Service employee Jeffrey Legg is obviously a maniacal control freak who willfully violates the law every day in his mad quest for power.

Paging Henry Bowman, white courtesy telephone. Henry Bowman, white courtesy telephone please.