SPUDSCAM FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A judge says money from an auction sale of equipment belonging to two North Dakota brothers,  who farmed near Cooperstown, convicted of farm fraud, should be turned over to the government.
 
     A jury in December convicted Aaron and Derek Johnson of conspiring to receive illegal payments, after they were accused of intentionally destroying potatoes to collect federal crop insurance payments. They were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay back more than $900,000. 
 
     Prosecutors say equipment sold last week at an auction near Northwood included a tractor, RV and two pickup trucks.
 
     U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson ordered the government to seize the proceeds from the sale and find out if any other creditors have a stake in the property.
 
     Public defender Neil Fulton, who represents Aaron Johnson, was not immediately available for comment.

Previously…

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A judge says money from an auction sale of equipment belonging to two North Dakota brothers convicted of farm fraud should be turned over to the government.
 
     A jury in December convicted Aaron and Derek Johnson of conspiring to receive illegal payments, after they were accused of intentionally destroying potatoes to collect federal crop insurance payments. They were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay back more than $900,000. 
 
     Prosecutors say equipment sold last week at an auction near Northwood included a tractor, RV and two pickup trucks.
 
     U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson ordered the government to seize the proceeds from the sale and find out if any other creditors have a stake in the property.
 
     Public defender Neil Fulton, who represents Aaron Johnson, was not immediately available for comment.                                                                                      

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Prosecutors are asking a judge to allow the government to seize money from an auction sale by two North Dakota brothers,   who farmed near Cooperstown and  were ordered to pay back more than $900,000 for intentionally destroying potatoes to collect insurance payments.
 
     A jury in December convicted Aaron and Derek Johnson of conspiring to receive illegal payments, after they were accused of applying chemicals to the potatoes and using other methods to accelerate deterioration.
 
     Prosecutors say an auction was scheduled Thursday to sell a tractor, RV, pickup and other equipment belonging to the Johnsons. The government wants the proceeds.
 
     Public defender Neil Fulton, who represents Aaron Johnson, says lawyers are evaluating the motion.
 
     Aaron Johnson was sentenced to four years and Derek Johnson to 1 1/2 years, both at a federal prison in Duluth, Minnesota.