A federal grand jury in Topeka has indicted a Kansas man, Steven W. Porubsky, on charges of defrauding the federal government. The indictment alleges that Porubsky sold crops that were used as collateral for a federal loan.
Court documents reveal that Porubsky, 48, is facing one count of conversion of mortgaged collateral. He is accused of intentionally defrauding the Farm Service Agency by converting agricultural products mortgaged to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for his own use.
The USDA is conducting an investigation into the matter, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham will prosecute the case.
In a separate case, Jesse J. Rivera, 43, also from Topeka, has been indicted on one count of theft of government property. This case is under investigation by the Railroad Retirement Board and will also be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham.
It should be noted that an indictment serves as an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
