<p> The USDA has cited Illinois-based company <B>J & S Produce Corp.</b> for failure to pay for produce.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The company has allegedly failed to pay <B>$602,650 to 11 sellers for 475 lots of produce</b>. Consequently, J & S Produce can no longer operate in the produce industry until September 19, 2015, at which time it may apply for a PACA license.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The company’s principals, <B>George Pappas, Steve Pappas</b>, and <B>James Stamas</b>, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until September 19, 2014, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond before being employed by or affiliated with a PACA licensee.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0" target="_new"> Agricultural Marketing Service</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
