BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A judge has issued an order prohibiting two brothers convicted in a federal crop insurance case from contacting witnesses called by the government.

A jury last week found Aaron and Derek Johnson guilty of conspiring to receive illegal payments and giving false statements. Authorities say the Cooperstown-area farmers illegally collected about $2 million after intentionally destroying potatoes and claiming the damage occurred naturally.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson says the brothers cannot contact government witnesses unless lawyers from both sides are present.

The jury deliberated for about five hours before returning their verdict early Friday evening. A sentencing date has not been set.

Previously….

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Two North Dakota brothers have been convicted of intentionally destroying potatoes to collect crop insurance payments.

A jury found 50-year-old Aaron Johnson and 47-year-old Derek Johnson guilty of conspiring to receive illegal payments and giving false statements. Prosecutors said the men defrauded the federal government out of about $2 million.

Prosecutors said the brothers exploited the government’s crop insurance program, meant to help farmers recover from losses due to naturally occurring events, including bad weather and the wet breakdown of inner potatoes after harvest. Prosecutors say that among other things, the brothers used chemicals to accelerate deterioration of their potatoes.

But the brothers’ attorneys argued that prosecutors had no hard evidence against their clients. Defense attorneys said the key witness was a convicted felon with no credibility.

 

Previously…

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Jurors are deciding the fate of two North Dakota brothers accused of defrauding the federal government out of about $2 million in crop insurance payments.

Aaron and Derek Johnson, of the Cooperstown area, are charged with conspiring to receive illegal payments by intentionally damaging potatoes.

Prosecutors said in closing arguments Thursday that the brothers bought a chemical to spoil the spuds. Prosecutors said it was the single-largest purchase of the chemical at a Menard’s store in North Dakota in a six-year period.

Defense attorneys said the potatoes were never tested, and a key witness in the case has a record of serious criminal offenses and is not credible.

Testimony in the federal trial in Fargo lasted nearly two weeks. The case went to the jury shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday.