<p> The USDA has cited Colorado-based Liborio Markets #9 and Liborio Markets #10 for failure to pay for produce under the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act (PACA).<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Liborio Markets #9 allegedly failed to pay $329,395 to 14 sellers for 232 lots of produce, while Liborio Markets #10 allegedly failed to pay $425,599 to 13 sellers for 377 lots of produce. Both companies cannot operate in the produce industry until November 26, 2015, at which time they can apply for a PACA license.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The companies’ principals, John Alejo, Enrique J. Alejo, Enrique M. Alejo, and Liborio Holding Co., may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until November 26, 2014, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond, according to a press release.<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">
