USDA restricts three California PACA violators
USDA restricts three California PACA violators
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:
- The Lexy Group, operating out of Santa Maria, CA, for failing to pay a $42,732 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Juan M. Cardenas was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.
- RFT Farm Sales Inc., operating out of Los Angeles, for failing to pay a $43,789 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Robert F. Thompson and Clarissa M. Thompson were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business. Another principal of the business at the time of the order was Stewart Thompson. He has challenged his responsibly connected status.
- Eyob Tewolde, doing business as Yohana Bros., operating out of San Diego, for failing to pay an $11,145 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eyob Tewolde was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 3,700 PACA claims involving more than $66 million. Its experts also assisted more than 7,100 callers with issues valued at approximately $100 million.
