It's a matter of meat.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has given the go-ahead for up to $126,000 in taxpayer-funded job training grants to the notorious international meat processing empire JBS. Despite being mired in a number of high-profile scandals.
In February 2023, Discovered by the US Department of Labor At least 22 children were illegally hired by a cleaning company to clean JBS's processing plant in Worthington, Minnesota, working in hazardous conditions and during cemetery shifts.
JBS subsequently laid off the cleaning service.
In June, the current Democratic vice presidential candidate's Department of Higher Education awarded JBS funding to provide a dual training program to 28 employees at the Minnesota plant, OHE spokesman Keith Hovis said.
“These career growth and training opportunities allow Minnesotans to advance their careers while helping businesses recruit and retain talent. It's a win-win.” At that moment a waltz broke out.
Over the past decade, JBS and its Brazil-based parent company, run by the billionaire Batista brothers, have been embroiled in a myriad of legal and criminal disputes.
McDonald's filed an explosive lawsuit in Brooklyn federal court last week, accusing JBS and other food companies of conspiring to fix beef prices by artificially limiting supply.
In February, New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the meat giants for misleading consumers with far-fetched claims about reducing environmental pollution.
Meanwhile, meat processor owner J&F Investimentos SA. Pleaded guilty to U.S. foreign bribery charges In 2020, they agreed to pay $128 million as part of a settlement.
“JBS has a long history of misleading investors and engaging in other corrupt business practices,” said bipartisan Sen. Marco Rubio. A group of senators expressed “deep concern” JBS filed a lawsuit with the Securities and Exchange Commission in January over its efforts to list on the New York Stock Exchange.
“The company does not deserve taxpayer benefits. There needs to be a federal investigation,” he told the Post.
Walz's office did not respond to a request for comment.
