The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against H Brooks and Company LLC (H Brooks) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
The company, operating from Minnesota, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 37 produce sellers in the amount of $3,812,292 from August 2019 through April 2021.
H Brooks will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond. Furthermore, its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for two years, or one year with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
For more information, contact Corey Elliott, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
