The USDA IG vs. the NFL QB

Here are some highlights from the most recent semiannual report of the Agriculture Department inspector general's office:

• Meat Processing Plant Agrees To Pay More Than $100,000 in a Civil Settlement for

  Falsifying Fat Content in Sausage Products

• Investigation Uncovers $5.2 Million in Illegally Exported Fruit
• Corporate Shareholder Sentenced for Illegal Sale of Ocelot

This just goes to show you that it's not every day that a special agent at the USDA OIG operation makes national news with a high-profile case. Then again, it's not every day that one plays a key role in an investigation leading to the indictment of an NFL quarterback on dog-fighting charges. But special agent in charge Brian L. Haaser did just that.

By the way, lest you think the whole dog-fighting thing is not that big a deal, here's a description of what allegedly went on at Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's house, with his participation, according to the indictment:

For a particular dog fight, the participants would establish a purse for the winning side, ranging from the hundreds to thousands of dollars. Participants and spectators would also place side-bets on the fight. The dog fight would last until the death or surrender of the losing dog. At the end of the fight, the losing dog was sometimes put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution, or another method.