Jatinderjeet “Jyoti” Sihota, 37, of Selma, California, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit crop insurance fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. Sihota, who became involved with her family’s farming business in 2012, participated in a fraudulent scheme that involved inflating crop loss claims in order to secure over $650,000 in federal crop insurance payments.
Sihota’s family farming operation, based in Fresno and Tulare counties, produced table grapes and other crops. The operation sold many of its products through a fruit packing company managed by Ralph Hackett, 69, of Clovis, who was also involved in the scheme. Between 2012 and 2016, Sihota and Hackett conspired to underreport the sales of their crops, making it appear as though significant losses had occurred when they had not. These inflated losses led to fraudulent insurance claims backed by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC).
Hackett, who directed lower-level employees at the packing company to participate in the scheme, has separately pleaded guilty for his role in the fraud. As part of his plea, Hackett agreed to pay $650,000 in criminal restitution and a civil settlement of $605,000.
Shawn Dionida, Special Agent-in-Charge for the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG), stated, “Fraudulent activity within the crop insurance program undermines its intent and misdirects taxpayer dollars from where they were intended.” He commended the U.S. Attorney’s Office for pursuing justice and holding those involved accountable for their fraudulent actions.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat fraud within the crop insurance program and protect taxpayer resources from misuse.