Farmer charged with crop insurance fraud; feds seek $919K upon conviction
A Wiregrass farmer is alleged to have played a role in an extensive crop insurance fraud effort and federal authorities are seeking almost $1 million in return upon his conviction, according to federal court documents.
According to court filings from U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, prosecutors believe Dexter Day Gilbert and/or others received funds from the federal Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program to which he was not legally entitled for crops planted in Houston County from Feb. 26, 2016, until Jan. 18, 2017.
The allegations were made in the form of a federal information filed Thursday morning. An information is a formal criminal charge in lieu of an indictment. It is typically filed when the defendant wishes to expedite the process of a guilty plea.
A consent plea hearing is scheduled for June 4 in Montgomery.
According to the information filed Thursday, prosecutors believe Gilbert was not alone. The information alleges Gilbert was “aiding and abetting another” and was “aided and abetted by another” in the scheme. The government is seeking a money forfeiture of $919,551 upon his conviction.
Read more: http://www.dothaneagle.com/news/crime_court/local-farmer-charged-with-crop-insurance-fraud-feds-seek-k/article_0d9937bc-650c-11e8-a35f-2776f15b7971.html