KICKBACK SCHEME IDICTMENTS

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 29 people in Bay, Holmes and Washington counties, have been indicted in a criminal kickback scheme that diverted nearly $400,000 in federal drought relief benefits by making false claims. They include 43-year-old Duane Crawson, the former director of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Bonifay. Most of the defendants are from Bonifay, but some are from Caryville, Chipley and Westville. Also indicted was former Holmes County Clerk of Courts Kyle Hudson. The indictment is the result of a 20-month investigation and the 29 are accused of submitting fraudulent claims for financial assistance on livestock and farmland they didn’t own.