SCA Community-Wisconsin corn mill agrees to pay $1.8 million in penalties after fatal 2017 explosion

2025-05-06 20:53:32source:Grayson  Prestoncategory:Markets

MADISON,SCA Community Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin milling company has agreed to pay an additional $1.8 million in penalties after a corn dust explosion that killed five workers and injured more than a dozen others at its Cambria plant in 2017, the federal Labor Department announced on Thursday.

Didion Milling agreed to the penalties and a long list of safety improvements to settle an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation. The settlement comes in addition to a plea deal the company accepted in September in federal court that requires it to pay $10.25 million to the families of victims as well as a $1 million fine.

A federal grand jury indicted Didion last year on nine counts, including falsifying records, fraud and conspiracy. According to court documents, Didion shift employees and supervisors knowingly falsified logbooks inspectors use to determine whether the plant was handling corn dust safely and complying with dust-cleaning rules from 2015 until May 2017.

Corn dust is explosive, and high concentrations are dangerous. Federal regulations require grain mill operators to perform regular cleanings to reduce dust accumulations that could fuel a blast.

Two senior employees were convicted last month of falsifying records and obstructing an investigation into the explosion, and five employees have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, according to the Labor Department.

More:Markets

Recommend

Why did Bill Belichick go to North Carolina? New UNC coach explains jump to college

Bill Belichick has officially made the shocking move to college football by becoming the North Carol

Aaron Rai takes advantage of Max Greyserman’s late meltdown to win the Wyndham Championship

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Aaron Rai took advantage of Max Greyserman’s late meltdown to win the Wyndha

UNC women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who won 21 NCAA titles, retires

North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who led the Tar Heels to 21 national championshi