Wyalusing Livestock Market and Auction will pay a $6,000 civil penalty after USDA alleged that operator Michelle Harnish violated the Packers and Stockyards Act.
The agency said Harnish ran a deficit in her custodial account, which holds proceeds from the sale of livestock in trust for sellers. Per USDA, the shortfall was partly a result of Harnishâs failure to deposit funds equal to the proceeds receivable from livestock sales.
Harnish also operated the business in Rome, Pennsylvania, while her current liabilities exceeded her current assets, the agency said.
USDAâs Agricultural Marketing Service says the problems occurred between Dec. 31, 2016, and March 3, 2017.