USDA announces PACA actions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act branch resolved several enforcement actions in mid-August.
- Joseph Aiello & Sons Inc., New York, has satisfied a consent degree related to operating without a valid and effective PACA license, according to an Aug. 14 news release.The case relates to an action against the company filed May 22 for civil penalties and injunctive relief under PACA by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. The action said the company had operated without a valid PACA license from June 2013 to September 2014. In May this year, the company admitted that it violated the PACA as alleged in the complaint. Joseph Aiello & Sons Inc. paid the civil penalty of $5,000 and applied for a new PACA license, which was issued on Aug. 8, according to the USDA.
- The USDA cited Yuqing (Henry) Wang of Flushing, N.Y., for failing to comply with PACA employment sanctions. USDA and Wang entered into a consent decision finding that Wang violated PACA rules by being employed by a PACA licensee between July 2014 and September 2015 while under employment sanctions, according to the release. The USDA said that as a result of the consent decision and order, Wang’s employment sanction was extended for a one-year period beginning July 12.
- The USDA cited New York, N.Y.-based Hop Hing Produces Inc. for unlawful employment of an individual under PACA. The release said the USDA and Hop Hing Produces Inc. entered into a consent order July 31 finding that the company violated PACA regulations; USDA revoked the company’s PACA license. However, the USDA said it would stay the finding and revocation of the PACA license if the company paid a civil penalty no later than Aug. 30. The USDA said the company satisfied the terms of the consent decision and order and the finding of violation and license revocation was dismissed without further process and the case was closed.
