US: North Dakota potato farmers spoiled crop, defrauded government for $840,000

Federal prosecutors say two North Dakota brothers and potato farmers defrauded the government out of nearly $840,000 by intentionally ruining their crops to collect insurance payments. Aaron Johnson and Derek Johnson, farmers near Cooperstown, were charged in federal District Court with conspiracy to commit crimes against the U.S. for the alleged potato-spoiling plot in 2006, as well as four counts of making false statements. The brothers’ company, Johnson Potato Co., was also charged. More