WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that is has imposed sanctions against Chadbourn, North Carolina-based Wayne Bailey, Inc. (WBI) for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The sanctions imposed include barring the business as well as its principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without the approval of the USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

WBI failed to pay $8,182,415 to 46 sellers for produce that was purchased, received, and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce from June 2015 to April 2018. This is in violation of the PACA. WBI cannot operate in the produce industry until December 31, 2022, and then only after they apply for and are issued a new PACA license by USDA.

The company’s principal, George Wooten, Jr., may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until December 31, 2021, and then only with the posting of a USDA approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For more information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service