USDA finds Nicholas Allen to be connected in PACA case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ruled that Nicholas Allen was “responsibly connected” to a company involved in a $10 million PACA case.

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(File photo)

Years after disputing his connection to a canned vegetable company named in a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act case, Nicholas Allen has been found to be “responsibly connected” to a company involved in a $10 million PACA case.

Allen disputed he was connected to Allens Inc., but the USDA recently ruled he was responsibly con-nected to the company during the violation period. Allens Inc., Siloam Springs, Ark., failed to pay pro-duce sellers $9.76 million for 2,312 lots of produce, according to a news release.

Allen cannot be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee until Sept. 25, 2020, and only if he posts a USDA-approved surety bond, according to the release. He cannot be licensed in the produce indus-try until Sept. 25, 2021, and only then if he posts a USDA-approved surety bond.

Related stories:

PACA citation comes 26 months after Allens Inc. bankruptcy

Judge orders Allens Inc. to pay PACA claim

Allens Inc. disputes $18 million in PACA claims

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