A federal judge in North
Carolina has ordered the owners of a warehouse and distribution company to pay
$105.5 million to Cargill Inc. after a jury found they fraudulently overcharged
the agricultural giant.
In its complaint against WDS
Inc. and owners Jennifer Maier and Brian Ewert, Cargill accused the defendants
of directing employees to mark up pricing on purchase order requests beyond
what the parties had agreed upon, over a period of many years. Cargill
contracted with WDS for warehousing and distribution of products including
film, wrap, trays and spices provided by third-party vendors.
When questioned by Cargill, the
defendants then took steps to conceal the overcharges, including falsifying
vendor invoices, according to the complaint.
U.S. District Judge Frank
Whitney awarded Cargill triple the amount of damages awarded by the jury.