A Clayton County, IA, farmer was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after stealing more than $5 million in livestock and COVID-19 pandemic benefits.
On Oct. 10, Michael Wayne Butikofer, 54, from Monona, IA, entered a guilty plea to one count of livestock theft, one count of wire fraud and one count of false bankruptcy declaration.
Butikofer operated a custom cattle feeding operation, fraudulently sold cattle owned by investors and kept $2.5 million for himself. He also illegally obtained more than $1.2 million in COVID-19 emergency assistance by falsely claiming to own cattle, obtained $1.5 million from the Small Business Administration and falsely filed for bankruptcy. He also violated labor laws with migrant workers.
