A judge has rejected a sentencing deal that carried a five-year cap for fraud committed by a farmer in southwestern Michigan.
Judge Paul Maloney says it doesn’t reflect the “seriousness” of the crime. Mike Stamp had pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a scheme to defraud a government crop insurance program and lenders in Van Buren County.
MLive.com reports that Stamp has withdrawn his guilty plea, and a fall trial has been scheduled in Kalamazoo federal court. Stamp’s wife, Melissa Stamp, pleaded guilty to knowing about the fraud but not reporting it.