Missouri Farmer Featured on Reality TV Show Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million-Dollar Crop Insurance Fraud

A Missouri farmer and reality TV personality, Steve A. McBee, has pleaded guilty to federal crop insurance fraud, admitting to a scheme that cost the government over $4 million. McBee, the owner of McBee Farming Operations and star of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, underreported substantial crop yields and falsified planting dates to claim millions in insurance benefits and subsidies.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, McBee submitted false reports to Rain and Hail and NAU Country Insurance, claiming federal benefits for ineligible crops. The misreported numbers include over 674,000 bushels of corn and 155,000 bushels of soybeans in 2018. His fraudulent activity extended into 2020, when he falsified planting dates for late crops.

Under the plea agreement, McBee will pay restitution and forfeit $3.16 million. He faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing pending a presentence investigation. Despite the charges, McBee announced the renewal of his TV series on social media, continuing to depict his family’s ambitious farming enterprise.