<p> The USDA has cited Verona, Virginia-based company Staunton Fruit and Produce Co. Inc. for failure to pay $1,109,784 to 32 sellers for 256 lots of produce, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Consequently, Staunton Fruit and Produce Co. Inc. has entered into a consent decision barring the company from the produce industry until March 12, 2016, 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, Teri Rector, Brenda Rector, Martin Moskowitz, and John Moskowitz, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until March 12, 2015, 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, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, and 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">
