Attorneys for the U.S. government have asked a federal court to expedite an ongoing crop insurance and benefits fraud case, alleging a Michigan farmer accused of using so-called straw-farms to receive crop insurance and other federal benefits is continuing the same scheme to protect his farm assets.
Attorneys for the U.S. government have asked a federal court to expedite an ongoing crop insurance and benefits fraud case, alleging a Michigan farmer accused of using so-called straw-farms to receive crop insurance and other federal benefits is continuing the same scheme to protect his farm assets.
The farmer had pleaded guilty in June to knowingly making false statements on his 2015 crops. He had collected a $700,092 check on soybeans, but investigators found he had sold soybeans using his father s name.
The farmer had pleaded guilty in June to knowingly making false statements on his 2015 crops. He had collected a $700,092 check on soybeans, but investigators found he had sold soybeans using his father s name.
Farmers of both commodity crops and specialty crops will receive a first tranche of disaster aid payments. To determine losses, USDA will use its existing crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for calculating initial payments. USDA estimates more than 220,000 producers who received crop insurance indemnities or NAP payments will receive Emergency Relief Program payments.