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Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. President Steve Mendell was to appear Wednesday under subpoena before the House Energy and Commerce investigations subcommittee. Mendell was a no-show at a committee hearing Feb. 26, but submitted written testimony in advance of Wednesday's hearing and was expected to answer lawmakers' questions.
Mendell hasn't been heard from since issuing a written statement Feb. 3 saying he was "shocked and horrified" by undercover video released by the Humane Society of the United States showing workers at his plant apparently prodding and shocking downed cattle to slaughter in violation of federal regulations.
The Agriculture Department subsequently shut down operations at the plant and 143 million pounds of beef were recalled, including more than 50 million pounds intended for federal programs, mostly school lunches.
Two workers at the plant have been arrested on animal cruelty charges by San Bernardino County authorities in an ongoing criminal investigation. Lawmakers have criticized the Agriculture Department's inspection program and called for reforms, and the Agriculture Department has announced stepped-up random inspections pending the results of an internal investigation.
[Associated Press; By ERICA WERNER]
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