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Judge Says Crystal CEO Should Testify in Lawsuit

A federal judge says American Crystal Sugar Co. CEO David Berg should testify in a federal lawsuit pitting the refined sugar manufacturer against the corn syrup industry.

A federal judge says American Crystal Sugar Co. CEO David Berg should testify in a federal lawsuit pitting the refined sugar manufacturer against the corn syrup industry.

Berg challenged a subpoena from corn syrup marketers who want to ask about his role in opposing a campaign by corn refiners claiming sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are nutritionally the same.

American Crystal didn't agree to participate in the lawsuit and Berg says he can't offer relevant information. Lawyers for the corn syrup group say Berg will be a better witness than the plaintiffs because he's a bystander to the suit.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson ruled Wednesday that the defendants should be allowed to "explore whether Berg has information relevant to the underlying claim for damages."

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