Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Feds find fraud at several livestock auctions, especially in Missouri

The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration has found 12 separate cases of fraud at livestock auctions and from livestock dealers during a continuing, 18-month investigation into "schemes to falsify the selling price of livestock at livestock auction markets," Rita Gabbett of Meatingplace reports. The cases involve seven auctions and five dealers, and have been assessed for more than $200,000 in civil penalties.

"Federal regulations require that livestock auction markets, and individuals who buy on commission for someone else, keep and provide true written accounts of the transaction to the sellers and buyers," GIPSA Administrator Larry Mitchell said. "We continue to investigate evidence of fraud and any allegations of anti-competitive behavior in the livestock, meat and poultry industries, and aggressively enforce the P&S Act when we find them."

Livestock auctions and dealers in violation of GIPSA regulations include New Holland Sales Stables Inc. in New Holland, Pa., Milan Livestock Auction Inc. in Brookfield, Mo., Lolli Brothers Livestock Market in Macon, Mo., Appanoose County Livestock Inc., in Centerville, Iowa, and at least four others in Missouri. (Read more)

No comments: