A meat processing plant owner in McLain County, OK, has filed a lawsuit against a tenant leasing the land, claiming a violation of the leasing agreement and unsanitary conditions.
The owner leased the property to Goldsby Meat Co. in 2018, which then sublet the business to Harker Meats in late 2021, according to local news reports. Since then, residents have complained about overwhelming odors and poor conditions, even saying carcasses and byproducts have been left outside in the sun for days.
In the lawsuit, the landowner says the leasing agreement with Goldsby Meat Co. does not allow for subletting. In addition, the lawsuit claims the Department of Environmental Quality found violations for expired permits, tainted water systems and unsanitary conditions, according to an Oklahoma News 4 report.
Adam Vossen, Goldsby’s town administrator, told News 4 that USDA inspected the plant and found nothing wrong. Last August, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Harker Meats close to $45,000 for more than 10 serious violations found at the plant and two technical violations.
