Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Austin Lambrich (Lambrich), of Geff, Ill., on Feb. 5, 2024, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that between June 15, 2020, 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 for non-sufficient funds (NSF).
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $33,896 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record. USDA may offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and enter into a stipulation agreement to resolve the alleged violations quickly.
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 Dora Malykin, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051 or by email at dora.malykin@usda.gov.
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