Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2020 – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries, on Aug. 27, 2020, a Judicial Officer issued a decision in favor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) against Quinter Livestock Market LLC (Quinter) of Quinter, Kan., and Clint Kvasnicka (Kvasnicka) of Kansas, for violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) resulted in the issuance of an administrative complaint against Quinter and Kvasnicka on May 7, 2019. The investigation revealed Quinter and Kvasnicka failed to properly use and maintain its custodial account, endangering the faithful and prompt accounting of shippers’ proceeds and payments due to the owners or consignors of livestock. AMS’ investigation revealed custodial shortages of $61,163 on Oct. 31, 2017; $140,173 on May 18, 2018; $108,974 on June 30, 2018, and $24,231 on Nov. 30, 2018. Quinter and Kvasnicka also misused the custodial account by permitting $9,411 in bank fees to be charged to the account, which also attributed to the shortages. Additionally, from July 10, 2017, through Aug. 21, 2017, Quinter and Kvasnicka issued eight insufficient funds checks to livestock sellers totaling $142,889.
Under the decision and order, Quinter and Kvasnicka, their agents and employees, directly and through any corporate or other devices, shall cease and desist from failing to pay timely for livestock purchases and from issuing checks without sufficient funds to pay those checks. Quinter and Kvasnicka are also suspended as registrants for five years; however, if they demonstrate to AMS within 60 days that they have made payment in full to the livestock sellers, AMS may waive or adjust the suspension. Quinter and Kvasnicka will have 60 days following the issuance date to file with the United States Court of Appeals. The full Decision and Order is available.
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 Packers and Stockyards Act, contact Jeana Harbison, Packers and Stockyards Division, at (202) 720-7051, or by email at PSDWashingtonDC@usda.gov.
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