A former Washington rancher serving a prison sentence for wire fraud stemming from a so-called ghost cattle fraud has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider his claims that Tyson Fresh Meats breached a contract by not paying him for selling his beef in Japan. At the end of October, the U .S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court’s dismissal of Cody Easterday’s claims. Now, Easterday has asked for an in-bunk hearing in front of all judges of the Ninth Circuit, a hearing that is very rare.
Easterday alleged Tyson never paid him for the use of his name, image, and likeness as part of a joint venture that involved the marketing and selling a premium beef from his Eastern Washington ranch. Easterday has alleged a company owes him about $100 million.
In counsel’s judgment, this case involves a timely and important issue regarding personality rights, according to Easterday’s attorney, in a motion filed with the court.
Easterday pled guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of a $233 million scheme that included billing Tyson for raising cattle that didn’t exist. He is currently serving an 11-year sentence in California.
I’m Lori Boyer for AgNet West.