Fortner Livestock, Inc. and Otis Lewis Fortner Have Been Suspended as Registrants
WASHINGTON, June 9, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) entered into a consent decision with Fortner Livestock, Inc. (Fortner Livestock) under the direction and control of Otis Lewis Fortner (Fortner), Kite, Georgia, May 22, 2008.
Fortner Livestock and Fortner have been ordered to cease and desist from:
- failing to pay sellers for the sale of their livestock within the time period required by the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act;
- failing to pay the full purchase price for livestock; and
- issuing checks for the payment of livestock purchases without having sufficient funds to cover checks.
They have also been suspended as registrants under the P&S Act for a period of 5 years.
The decision resolves charges that were filed March 25, 2008, in which GIPSA alleged that Fortner Livestock and Fortner:
- failed to pay sellers for the sale of their livestock within the time period required by the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act;
- failed to pay the full amount of livestock; and
- issued checks for livestock purchases without having sufficient funds to cover checks.
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.
Catherine M. Grasso 202-720-7201
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