Dr. Enrique E. Figueroa, administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, said that Michael Mendenhall denied being responsibly connected and requested a formal determination. After hearing and appeal procedures, USDA's Judicial Officer issued a decision finding that Michael Mendenhall was responsibly connected to Mendenhall Produce Inc. USDA's final determination is effective Jan. 17, 1999. Michael Mendenhall may not be employed by or affiliated with another PACA licensee in any capacity until Jan. 17, 2000. He is also ineligible to be licensed under the PACA until Jan. 17, 2001. After these dates he may, respectively, be employed by a PACA licensee or licensed, with the approval of the secretary of agriculture and the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
PACA establishes a code of good business conduct for the produce industry.
USDA is authorized to suspend or revoke a trader's license for violating the act.