Minn. farmer accused of duping USDA on moldy beans (for needy Hondurans)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minn. farmer accused of duping USDA on moldy beans
By MIKE HUGHLETT, Star Tribune
Last update: July 15, 2010 - 7:20 AM

A northwestern Minnesota farmer participating in a federal aid program allegedly lied to agricultural regulators about shipping moldy kidney beans to Honduras, according to an indictment unveiled Wednesday.

Thomas Matthew Chisholm, 37, was charged in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis with two counts of causing the issuance of false official grain inspection certificates. He could not be reached for comment.

Chisholm, of Gary, was awarded a contract in 2007 to provide dark red kidney beans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The beans would be exported to Honduras as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development's Food for Work program.

In March 2009, Chisholm brought 300 metric tons of beans in four lots to the USDA to be inspected for the program. After one lot passed inspection, the government alleges, Chisholm re-submitted that same batch two more times, getting two more certificates.

But Chisholm then allegedly instructed his employees to substitute uninspected -- and moldy -- beans for those two lots. When the two shipments were opened in Honduras, they were spoiled.





Read more: http://www.startribune.com/business/98468569.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUjc7YUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P <img src=

[Judi Lynn]

1. Minnesota farmer indicted in moldy beans for Honduras scheme

Minnesota farmer indicted in moldy beans for Honduras scheme
Associated Press
Updated: 07/14/2010 07:06:25 PM CDT

Authorities say a northwestern Minnesota farmer allegedly put moldy beans in a shipment of food destined for hungry families in Honduras.

Thirty-seven-year-old Thomas Matthew Chisholm of Gary is indicted on two counts of causing the issuance of false official certificates.

Chisholm got a contract in February 2007 to provide dark red kidney beans to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for export to Honduras for the Food for Work program.

Officials say that in March 2007, Chisholm had a load of beans that passed inspection. He allegedly relabeled that load and resubmitted it for two additional inspections, leading the USDA to issue false certificates.

More:
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_15516782

[TwilightGardener]

2. Need to be resampled and tested at point of loading to go overseas.

Edit to add: And the lots need to be sampled and tested by federally licensed inspectors, not relying on this yahoo to bring in his own samples. Pretty simple fix, really.

[Enrique]

3. Obama taking the foreigners' side as usual

why does he hate American farmers? :sarcasm:

[Tempest]

4. This is where I agree with China

This guy intentionally defrauded his own government and the government of Honduras.

Take him out back and shoot him.

[izquierdista]

5. Wrong destination

He should have sent them to Japan and charged a premium price. Kidney bean natto, how exotic!

[Igel]

11. I'd managed to forget that existed.

Didn't really want to be reminded.

Hay fungus, isn't it?

[izquierdista]

12. It's good for your heart

You should eat 1 serving per day! :beer: Yum, love that bacillus natto flavor.

[Iowa]

6. I would be willing to bet $100 that this farmer is a Republican...

... and a "Christian".

[Judi Lynn]

8. No doubt! Bet he also got subsidies for growing them, too. n/t

[pgodbold]

9. Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! n/t

[freespeechtv]

10. Or at least a heartless opportunist wanting to jump on the social entrepreneur bandwagon...

to make himself look good. Shameful.

[gratuitous]

7. I believe the correct term for Mr. Chisholm is

"A real piece of work." I hope they throw the whole bookcase at him if he's found guilty.