Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Penn Takes Leave Over Price-Fixing Case

Jayson Penn, the chief executive officer of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. charged by U.S. prosecutors with conspiring to fix prices, has begun a paid leave of absence to focus on defending the recent indictment against him.

Penn, who has pleaded not guilty, will begin his leave immediately, the company said in a statement. Chief Financial Officer Fabio Sandri will act as interim CEO.

The allegations against the leader of a top American poultry producer is part of an ongoing investigation into possible price fixing by chicken processors that came to light last year. There are also charges against executives from ...