Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Decision and Order Without Hearing by Reason of Default against Austin Lambrich of Geff, Ill., on June 5, 2024, for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that between June 15 and Aug. 26, 2020, Lambrich failed to pay timely for 244 head of livestock totaling $150,758.57. Payments ranged from three to 20 days late. In one of those transactions, on June 22, 2020, Lambrich issued a $6,587.40 check, which was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
Under the Default Decision and Order, Lambrich was ordered to cease and desist from failing to pay when due for livestock and issuing checks in payment for livestock that are returned unpaid by the bank because of insufficient funds in the account. Lambrich was assessed a $4,000 civil penalty.
The P&S Act is a fair-trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.
For further information about the P&S Act, contact Amy Blechinger, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or by email at Amy.R.Blechinger@usda.gov.
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