A Clayton County farmer who stole over $5 million in livestock and COVID-19 pandemic benefits was sentenced last week, to more than 15 years in federal prison.
54-year old Michael Butikofer of Monona received the prison term after guilty plea last December to one count of theft of livestock, one count of wire fraud, and one count of false bankruptcy declaration.
Evidence showed between July 2020 and February 2022, Butikofer converted the proceeds of sales of cattle owned by eight cattle investors, totaling over $2.5 million, to his own use.
In July 2020 and August 2020, Butikofer defrauded the USDA of more than $1.2 million in emergency assistance funds designed to assist livestock producers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
