Utah Farm Bureau Federation President Ron Gibson has stepped down from his role following an assault arrest and allegations of human trafficking and fraud.
Gibson was arrested for assault in mid-August and notified the federation a week later that he was resigning from his position, along with his place on the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Board of Directors.
According to a Standard-Examiner report, the Weber County Sheriff’s Office said Gibson was arrested after an alleged assault against an employee on his farm, Green Acres Dairy.
“The investigation has also brought to light allegations of fraud and human trafficking, which are currently being thoroughly investigated by the Department of Public Safety’s Special Bureau of Investigation,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The affidavit states Gibson backhanded an employee across the face after the employee confronted Gibson about not being paid.
“Although his apology for mistreating a worker on his farm was heartfelt, such conduct is unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of Farm Bureau,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall in a statement. “Mistreatment of an employee is never okay. Farm workers, like all workers, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
