Thomas Hastings was brought before the grand jury at Suffolk County in November 1783. He was charged with two counts of selling corrupt pork at the public market in Boston; the first alleged sale occurred on January 10, 1782; the second on September 12. Hastings was brought before the court in August 1783, pleaded not guilty, and was taken to trial in February 1784. The jury found Hastings guilty of the first count (the January sale) but not guilty of the second count (the September sale). He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs.