SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two South Dakota farmers have been ordered to pay over $4 million in civil judgment for crop insurance fraud that occurred in 2018 and 2019, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
James and Levi Garrett operated a family farm and ranch in Sully County. In 2018, the Garretts falsely told a crop insurance company they planted 2,200 acres of sunflowers when they did not.
They wrongfully received payment from the company as if their entire crop had failed.
In 2019, the Garretts falsely claimed they planted 47.5 acres of corn when none was planted and they wrongfully received payment from the insurance company.
The Garretts fraudulently obtained over $1.3 million from their crimes.
Judge Roberto Lange announced entered the judgment against James and Levi on Wednesday.
The civil judgment follows the defendants’ 2022 criminal convictions for the same conduct