NORTH DAKOTA – A jury in North Dakota is deciding the case against Aaron Johnson and Derek Johnson, two brothers accused of defrauding the federal government out of about $2 million.
As we previously reported, the brothers, who operated the North Dakota potato company Johnson Potato, were charged with conspiracy and making false statements. The defendants are accused of applying chemicals, including a substance known as "Rid-X" that's designed to dissolve solid materials in septic systems, while also adding spoiled and frozen potatoes to their stored crop. The actions resulted in the potatoes rotting.
ABC News reports that prosecutors claimed the brothers exploited the federal government’s crop insurance program, which is meant to help farmers recover from losses due to naturally occurring events like bad weather and the wet breakdown of inner potatoes after harvest.
Several farmers who grew near the brothers testified at the 8-day trial that they had good potatoes that did not spoil during the time the brothers were being reimbursed. Speaking to the jurors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Clare Hochhalter said, “They looked for weaknesses in the system when the farmers who testified looked for faith in the system.”
At the trial, defense attorneys told jurors that prosecutors have no hard evidence against their clients and claimed that the key witness against the brothers is a convicted felon with no credibility.
For now, it is up to the jury to decide. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this case.
