NC hog farmer faces court date on plea agreement

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Columbus County hog farmer convicted of intentionally discharging hog waste into a Waccamaw River tributary is heading to court after being accused of failing to comply with his year-old plea agreement.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports (http://bit.ly/Wr2V3L ) that federal prosecutors contend that William Barry Freedman transferred more than $1 million in property to his wife and parents since negotiating his plea deal last year with the government. Freedman's attorney disputes the characterization.

The hearing is scheduled for Friday in New Bern.

Last year, Freedman was ordered to pay $1.5 million in fines and restitution for violations of the federal Clean Water Act. He was also sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by six months of home confinement.

Freedman was the president of Freedman Farms.

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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com