In May of 1992, ABC sent two of its producers "undercover" to work for a Food Lion store, and investigate their food handling practices. Later in the year, the network ran a hidden camera exposé accusing Food Lion of unsanitary and dishonest food handling practices, and doing generally disgusting things with expired meat (like repackaging it and putting it back on the shelf).
After their own sales went down 10% and their stock values depreciated by 20%, Food Lion sued ABC for fraud and trespass for the way in which they gained access to the stores (fake identities and resumés). A federal jury in Greensville, NC found the network guilty as charged and awarded Food Lion $5.5 million in punitive damages. | 
