Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Samuel Sustarich is not responsibly connected to C & D Distributors Inc., Evanston, Ill. This is an update to Press Release No: 052-21 issued on May 13, 2021.
C & D Distributors Inc. violated the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay a reparation award in the amount of $7,457 in March 2021. As a result, USDA imposed sanctions on the business, including requiring that all principals may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.
USDA made an initial determination that Samuel Sustarich was responsibly connected to C & D Distributors, Inc., and subject to sanction. Samuel Sustarich contested this initial determination and USDA has now determined that Samuel Sustarich was not responsibly connected to C & D Distributors Inc. at the time of the violation.
As a result, Samuel Sustarich may be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
For further information, contact Corey Elliott, Chief, Investigative Enforcement Branch, at (202) 720-6873 or PACAInvestigations@usda.gov.
The PACA Division, which is in the Fair Trade Practices Program in the Agricultural Marketing Service, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses that are operating subject to PACA, including buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,625 PACA claims involving more than $104 million. PACA staff also assisted more than 7,600 callers with issues valued at approximately $166 million. These are just two examples of how USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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