Tyson Lobbyist Faces More Charges in Espy Case

WASHINGTON — Charges were filed Tuesday for a second time accusing a lobbyist for Tyson Foods Inc. of trying to curry favor with former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy by giving him a sporting trip and then lying about it.

A federal grand jury returned the four-count indictment against Jack Williams, a Washington lobbyist for the poultry company.

Williams was first indicted in 1996 on two counts of lying to Agriculture Department and FBI investigators in the ongoing probe of Espy’s relationship with agricultural companies during his term as a Cabinet official.

The grand jury issued a second indictment Tuesday as part of the investigation of Espy by independent counsel Donald Schmaltz that began in 1994.

In the latest indictment, Williams was charged with giving a $1,119 weekend trip to Dallas to Espy and his girlfriend to attend an NFL football game. He was also accused of giving a $13 ticket to Espy to attend a University of Arkansas basketball game.