Missouri man gets probation for his role in fraud scheme

News

Missouri man gets probation for his role in fraud scheme

A Missouri man has been sentenced to three years’ probation and a 45-thousand-dollar fine for his role in the largest grain fraud scheme in U.S. history, according to the Kansas City Star.

Steven Whiteside of Chillicothe pleaded guilty in December to signing a document that allowed Randy Constant to sell conventionally raised grain as certified organic and receive a higher premium.

Federal prosecutors say Whiteside received $177-thousand dollars for grain that Constant resold to animal feed producers. They had asked for a one-year term in prison for Whiteside. His defense attorney argued he received a lesser sentence for having a clean record and having family obligations.

Constant, also of Chillicothe, killed himself in 2019 three days after he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for wire fraud. Four other farmers, one from Missouri and three from Nebraska received prison sentences for their role in the long-running scheme.

.