to Accepting Bribes
Seven of the eight USDA produce inspectors pleaded guilty on Feb. 9, for accepting bribes to grade produce quality at lower levels than the load’s actual condition. The eighth inspector pled guilty in December in exchange for a reduced sentence for cooperating with the government.
“This is a positive first step in securing restitution for companies damaged, and improving our present inspection service,” said United Chairman Bruce McEvoy, CEO of Seald-Sweet Growers, and chairman of United’s new task force on produce inspection services. “Companies who do business at Hunts Point - and throughout the country - need to regain trust in the system,” he said.
“This scandal has harmed shippers whose loads were falsely downgraded based on fraudulent inspections, but also those wholesale companies that did not participate in bribery and thus faced unfair competition based on these inspectors’ actions,” said United President Tom Stenzel. “Our entire industry has paid the price for this illegal activity.”
The task force on produce industry inspection services plan to meet with USDA officials to begin its work in recommending regulatory and legislative policies to address needed improvements in the system, as well as to develop specific immediate reforms USDA can take to assure sound, objective inspections. “Our industry requires an efficient, objective, and cost-effective produce inspection system to operate,” McEvoy said.
Sentencing of the seven inspectors who pleaded guilty yesterday will take place on May 22, and each will face 18 to 33 months in prison and fines up to $60,000.
Two of the 13 wholesale company employees charged in the scheme have also pleaded guilty, with charges still pending against the other owners or employees of wholesale companies charged.
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