HARRISBURG – In a shocking expose, brothers Daniel and Benjamin Gutman, both 39-year-olds from Maryland, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States by orchestrating a fraudulent cattle health certificate scheme. The pair, who own and operate Gutman Brothers Dairy Cattle, admitted to using false and fraudulent certificates to transport untested cattle across state lines and into international markets.
According to U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the Gutmans’ deceitful acts compromised the integrity of U.S. agricultural exports. Their scheme relied on Dr. Donald Yorlets, a USDA-accredited veterinarian who pleaded guilty in 2020 for his role in the conspiracy.
The investigation revealed that the Gutman Brothers and Yorlets conspired to misrepresent cattle health by submitting non-authentic blood samples and issuing false health certificates. This deceit enabled them to ship hundreds of animals without proper testing, including for diseases like Tuberculosis and Brucellosis.
Forensic analysis exposed a pattern of deception, with only about one in ten blood samples submitted by Yorlets being authentic. The Gutman Brothers’ fraudulent activities spanned several years, compromising the health and safety standards of U.S. agriculture exports.
The consequences of their actions could not be more serious. The Gutman Brothers face significant penalties for their deceitful enterprise, which undermined the integrity of the United States Department of Agriculture’s certification process.
As justice prevails, the Gutman Brothers’ scheme serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to defraud the American public and undermine the credibility of our agricultural exports.
RELATED: Maryland Brothers Plead Guilty in Cattle Fraud Scheme
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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