Question

Facts "Basic Hipsters," a California-based company, operates an organic food warehouse in Orange County, CA. The company stores frozen meat for various food companies in the region and its cold storage facility had a severe rodent problem. Evidence indicated that Stewart, president of Basic Hipsters, knew of the rat infestation for a period of three years and instructed employees to keep catching rats but refused to perform a full extermination because he determined that it would be too expensive. Testing by federal and state health agencies confirmed adulteration of food products, including rodent gnawing, rodent hair, and rodent feces on several products in Basic Hipsters' warehouse. Stewart was charged with violating federal criminal laws prohibiting the sale of adulterated meat and he defended he did not have the requisite knowledge for criminal liability because he had no actual knowledge of any specific meat contamination. • Answer the following question (150-300 words): Can Stewart, as an individual officer, be liable for Basic Hipsters' crimes even though he had no actual knowledge of any Specific meat contamination?

Answer 1

Answer. Company is product of many individuals working together. A particular outcome is not a result of individual's action. However, being the president of the company Stewart would have exclusive power over the decision making. Knowing the rat infestation for over a period of 3 years, and not taking appropriate action is a major mistake from the president of the company. As the major member of the company and enjoying a large share of authority, he also holds for large share of the responsibility. Keeping a check over the working conditions and maintaining safety comes under one of the primary responsibility of the company.
Moving to the liability, whenever there is some law violation in the company, no particular individual can be made completely liable for the crime, it's the company that should be made liable.