SULLY COUNTY, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - US Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced on Wednesday that two Sully County farmers have been ordered to pay over $4 million to resolve False Claims Act violations.
James and Levi Garrett were ordered to pay a combined total of $4,019,820.
The charges come after the two falsely certified to a crop insurance company that they planted 2,200 total acres of sunflowers on their farm in Sully County in 2018.
No sunflowers were planted, and the two wrongfully received indemnity from the insurance company as if the crop had failed.
James Garrett falsely certified he planted 47.5 acres of corn as part of a larger claim in 2019.
No corn was planted, and he wrongfully received indemnity from the insurance company that year.
In total, the defendants received over $1.3 million in benefits.
“Protecting taxpayer-funded programs from fraud and abuse remains a top priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsdell, “and we won’t stop at criminal convictions. As this case demonstrates, those who attempt to cheat federal programs face serious consequences—both criminal and civil.”
The False Claims Act allows the government to seek treble damages and civil penalties against individuals and companies that knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims for payment to federal programs.
The defendants were held liable for civil damages in addition to their criminal convictions.
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