Tennessee Man Sentenced for $8.9M Crop Insurance Scam

A Lafayette, Tennessee, man has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for defrauding the federal crop insurance program of millions of dollars.

According to court documents, David Garrett Manion, 61, was handed down a 3 years and 6 months prison sentence, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution, for defrauding the federal crop insurance program between 2016 and 2022.

Manion, who has a prior 2016 conviction for defrauding the federal crop insurance program, also agreed to pay the Risk Management Agency nearly $5.5 million to resolve other outstanding issues. In total, the defendant was ordered to pay $8.9 million in restitution and penalties.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, Special Investigations, and the FBI Bowling Green Resident Agency.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weiser prosecuted the case, which highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to crack down on crop insurance scams.

In a stark reminder that there is no parole in the federal system, Manion will be required to serve his full sentence without the possibility of early release.

The $8.9 million in restitution and penalties ordered in this case serves as a stark reminder of the severity of crop insurance fraud and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

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