Petitioner: JOHNSON PRODUCE COMPANY, INC.
Respondent: VEG SERVICE, INC., AND WESTERN SURETY COMPANY
Judges: STUART M. LERNER
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Locations: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Filed: Apr. 25, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, September 11, 2000.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
BOB CRAWFORD, Commissioner
The Capitol * Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800
_ Please Respond to:
Bureau of License and Bond
Mayo Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 .
September 10, 1998 (850) 922-0153
Johnson Produce Co., Inc. CERTIFIED MAIL
P.O. Box 1123
Pompano Beach, FL 33061-1123 Oo-/7 Sift
RE: Johnson Produce Co., Inc., Complainant,
vs
Veg Service, Inc., 150 SW 12 Ave., #370, Pompano Beach, FL 33069, Licensed as a
Dealer in Agricultural Products under License Number 9012, Supported by Bond
Number 22169581 in the amount of $12,500, written by Western Surety Company, as
Surety, Inception Date April 27, 1997, Expiration Date April 26, 1998, Date of
Execution January 6, 1997, Respondent.
Western Surety Company, 101 South Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57102, as
Surety, Co-Respondent.
Gentlemen:
This is in reference to the above-captioned complaint filed against the Respondent in the
amount of $4,373 for the 1997-98 License and Bond Year.
We have recently received written communication from the Respondent wherein they
have advised that notices of intent to preserve trust benefits under the Perishable Agricultural
Commodities Act (PACA) against Veg Service, Inc., have been filed with the Federal Court
under PACA, 7 U.S.C. ss499e(c).
Please be advised that this Department intends to stay further processing of your
complaint filed with this office pending the outcome of the PACA cases. By copy of this letter
all interested parties in this matter are hereby notified of the Department’s intentions.
Se
Se
a
Florida Agriculture and Forest Products
$53 Billion for Florida’s Economy
5 2)
Johnson Produce Co., Inc.
Page 2
September 10, 1998 -
Should you have questions, or if you need further information, please feel free to
contact this office.
Sincerely,
BOB CRAWFORD
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Birk d Rat
Brenda D. Hyatt
Chief
BDH/D/p
ce:
Mr. Martin Shield, Veg Service, Inc., 4999 S.W. 7" Court, Margate, FL 33068
Western Surety Company, 101 S. Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, ‘BD 57102
Mr. Scott R. Teach, Esquire, MEUERS, DRESSLER & KERR, LLP, 2590 Golden Gate Parkway,
: Suite 109, Naples, FL 34105
Mr. Stephen McCarron, Esquire, McCARRON & ASSOCIATES, 455 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20008
Ms. Rena Magolnick, Esquire, Hustead & Magolnick, 70 N.W. 8" Street, Homestead, FL 33030
Ms, Amy Shield, Esquire, Italiezer, Pettin & White, P.A., 101 N.E. 3% Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL
33301 :
Mr. Raphael Impellizzeri, Field Representative ¢
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STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
RE: Johnson Produce Co., Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Pompano Beach, FL 33061-1123,
Complainant,
vs
Veg Service, Inc., 150 SW 12 Avenue, #370, Pompano Beach, FL 33069, Licensed
as a Dealer in Agricultural Products under License Number 9012, Supported by Bond
Number 22169581 in the amount of $12,500, written by Western Surety Company, as
Surety, Inception Date April 27, 1997, Expiration Date April 26, 1998, Date of
Execution January 6, 1997, Respondent,
Western Surety Company, P.O. Box 5077, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5077, as Surety,
Co-Respondent.
AMOUNT OF COMPLAINT: $4,373.00 LB CASE NO: 98-0024
TO: Veg Service, Inc., 150 SW 12 Avenue, #370, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
, . Western Surety Company, P.O. Box 5077, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5077
Johnson Produce Co., Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Pompano Beach, FL 33061-1123
ORDER
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
This is a proceeding under the Florida Agricultural Bond and License Law, Sections
604.15-604.34, Florida Statutes.
A Notice of Filing of a Complaint and copies of the complaint along with supporting
evidence thereto were mailed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(the "Department") to Respondent and Co-Respondent by United States certified mail on
June 12, 1998. Neither the Respondent or Co-Respondent responded to the complaint nor did
they request a hearing.
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EINDINGS OF FACT
1. Complainant, Johnson Produce Co., Inc., is a corporation whose address is P.O.
Box 1123, Pompano Beach, FL.
2. Respondent, Veg Service, Inc., is a corporation whose address is 150 SW 12
Avenue, #370, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. At the time of the transactions involved,
Respondent was licensed as a dealer in agricultural products supported by Surety Bond
Number 22169581 (the "Bond") in the amount of $12,500.
3. Co-Respondent, Western Surety Company, as Surety, provided the Bond for
Respondent. The conditions and provisions of the Bond are to assure proper accounting and
payment to producers, their agents or representatives for agricultural products purchased by
the Respondent.
4. On February 14, 1998 through March 26, 1998, Complainant, Johnson Produce
Co., Inc., as Agent for Florida producers sold Respondent peppers and eggplants totaling
$4,373.
5. The complaint was filed with this office within six (6) months from the dates of
sale.
6. There are no known disputed facts in this matter.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
7. Section 604.20 (1), Florida Statutes provides: “Before any (agricultural commodity
dealers) license is issued, the applicant therefore shall make and deliver to the department a
surety bond or certificate of deposit in the amount of at least $3,000 or in such greater amount
as the department may determine.... Such bond must be executed by a surety corporation
authorized to transact business in the state.... Such bond or any certificate of deposit
WU UY
assignment or agreement shall be upon a form prescribed or approved by the department and
shall be conditioned to secure the faithful accounting for and payment to producers, their
agents or representatives, of the proceeds of all agricultural products handled or purchased by
such dealer."
8. Section 604.21 (1), Florida Statutes provides: "Any person claiming himself to be
damaged by any breach of the conditions of a bond or certificate of deposit assignment or
agreement given by a licensed dealer in agricultural products as hereinbefore provided may
enter complaint thereof against the dealer and the surety, if any, to the department, which
complaint shall be a written statement of the facts constituting the complaint. Such complaint
shall be filed within six (6) months from the date of sale in instances involving direct sales or
from the date on which the agricultural product was received by the dealer in agricultural
products, as agent, to be sold for the producer."
CONCLUSIONS
Respondent has failed and refused to answer the complaint in writing, and because of
Respondent's failure to answer said complaint, the only evidence before the Commissioner of
Agriculture is the sworn complaint of the Complainant. Therefore, it must be concluded that
the Respondent is indebted to Johnson Produce Co., Inc., in the amount of $4,373. This is in
violation of the conditions and provisions of the Bond that Respondent has on file with the
Department as provided in Section 604.20 (1), Florida Statutes.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Respondent, Veg Service,
Inc., pay Complainant, Johnson Produce Co., Inc., the amount of $4,373 to be paid within
fifteen (15) days from the date this Order becomes final. In the event that Respondent does not
comply with this Order within fifteen (15) days from the date it becomes final, Western Surety
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Company, as Surety for the Respondent, is hereby ordered to provide payment under the
conditions and provisions of the Bond, to BOB CRAWFORD, COMMISSIONER OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, as Obligee on the Bond. Should
responsibility for payment evolve to the Surety, Western Surety Company will be notified
by this office. This Order shall become final in fourteen (14) days from the date of mailing as
stated herein unless a party having material interest affected by this Order requests a hearing
within the fourteen (14) day period. Pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, anyone
desiring a hearing should make their request to the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services, Bureau of License and Bond, Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-
0800. Such a request should contain the name and address of the party requesting the hearing
and a reference to this Order. Otherwise, this Order will be final and appeal may be filed
pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes within thirty (30) days of finality. If you wish to
appeal the Final Order, review proceedings must be instituted by filing a petition or notice
with the Agency Clerk, Mayo Building, Fifth Floor, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800, and a copy
of same with the appropriate District Court of Appeal.
DONE AND ORDERED at Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this Ql | day of
A YS vst , 1998.
ANN H. WAINWRIGHT ‘
Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture
Filed this Q| day of \ Yeu st , 1998.
Lenmy 2
Agency\€lerk
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I certify that a copy hereof has been furnished to Veg Service, Inc., 150 SW 12
Avenue, #370, Pompano Beach, FL 33069, Western Surety Company, P.O. Box 5077, Sioux
Falls, SD 57117-5077 and Johnson Produce Co., Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Pompano Beach, FL
33061-1123, by United States certified mail with return receipt requested this 2! s day of
aust , 1998. .
[wa .
Brenda D. Hyatt, Chief
Bureau of License and Bond
cc: ~- Mr. Raphael Impellizzeri, Field Representative
Docket for Case No: 00-001744
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 11, 2000 |
Order Closing Files issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 08, 2000 |
Cover letter to Judge Lerner from A. Shield (filed via facsimile).
|
Sep. 08, 2000 |
Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction (filed via facsimile).
|
Sep. 08, 2000 |
Stipulation for Settlement (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 11, 2000 |
Amended Notice of Video Teleconference issued. (hearing scheduled for September 14, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, FL, amended as to TALLAHASSEE LOCATION).
|
Jun. 23, 2000 |
Letter to M. Bess from Judge Lerner In re: cases not referred to the Division filed.
|
Jun. 20, 2000 |
Ltr. to Judge S. Lerner from M. Bess In re; hearing (filed via facsimile).
|
Jun. 15, 2000 |
Letter to R. Ingram from B. Hyatt In re: court reporter filed.
|
Jun. 06, 2000 |
Order of Pre-Hearing Instructions issued.
|
Jun. 05, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference sent out. hearing set for September 14, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, Fl. consolidated cases are 00-1743A, 00-1744A, 00-1745A, 00-1746A)
|
May 17, 2000 |
Ltr. from M. Shield RE: amount of time to conduct final hearing; location of hearing; date of hearing (filed via facsimile).
|
May 08, 2000 |
Letter to Judge Smith from S. McCarron Re: Non-representation of Veg-Service of M. Shield filed.
|
May 05, 2000 |
Letter to Judge Lerner from B. Hyatt Re: Address correction for M. Shield filed.
|
Apr. 28, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Amendment filed.
|
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Notice of Filing of a Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Notice of Filing of an Amended Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 25, 2000 |
Agency Referral Letter filed.
|