Detroit

A Michigan farmer has consented to a hefty $87,500 payment to settle accusations of having acquired crop insurance and farm benefits through questionable means. David G. Zelmer of Niles faced allegations of violating the False Claims Act by securing federal crop insurance coverage and Farm Service Agency (FSA) benefits for crops he didn't actually farm. This settlement brings to a close the suspicions that have been looming over the Berrien County landowner.

"Michigan farmers depend on federal programs to provide economic security," remarked U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, in the middle of thanking the law enforcement partnerships that his office is committed to working with to investigate allegations of false claims, according to the Department of Justice. The United States contended that Zelmer, despite having leased parts of his farm to another grower from 2015 through 2017, misrepresented himself as the sole producer of crops on the leased tracts when applying for FSA benefits and federal crop insurance, when in truth, he was not.

Shantel R. Robinson, Special Agent-In-Charge from the United States Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, commented on the commitment to battling fraud in crop insurance through civil enforcement under the False Claims Act as Totten did. The perpetrators behind fraudulent activities not only undermine the program's purposes, but they also divert taxpayer dollars from their intended beneficiaries. "We are thankful to the...

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