A class-action Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organization (RICO) complaint accuses managers of the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Russellville, AL, of conspiring in a nationwide racketeering scheme by hiring hundreds of undocumented workers with the effect of depressing the wages of citizen employees. Named plaintiff Jennifer Hall sues on behalf of all hourly workers who work or worked at Gold Kist or Pilgrim’s Price facilities nationwide. Pilgrim’s Pride acquired Gold Kist in January of 2007. Hall claims the defendant managers hired more than 500 undocumented workers in the past four years at the Russellville plant alone, “victimizing every legal worker.” Named defendants are operations manager Paul White and complex manager Phyllis Thomas. The suit demands an injunction and treble damages for the “illegal immigrant hiring scheme.” Hall v. White, No. 8-0484 (N.D. Ala. filed Mar. 15, 2007).