USDA restricts PACA violators in Arkansas, New York and Virginia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses — Blue Light Produce, Otto Brehm Inc. and E&RRR LLC — for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- Blue Light Produce LLC, operating out of Charlottesville, VA, for failing to pay a $93,322 award in favor of an Arizona seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Christopher J. Meduri was listed as the member of the business.
- Otto Brehm Inc., operating out of Yonkers, NY, for failing to pay a $12,361 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Ernest G. Brehm Jr. and Michael W. Brehm were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business. Linda Tritto was also listed as a principal of the business at the time of the order. However, Tritto has been found not responsibly connected to the company at the time of the violation.
- E&RRR LLC, operating out of Jonesboro, AR, for failing to pay a $9,110 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Reynaldo Cano and Efren Montano were listed as members and managers of the business.
By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.
In the past three years, USDA handled more than 2,340 cases valued at $126.3 million. PACA staff also assisted over 5,600 callers with issues valued at $146.7 million.
