KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The former owner of Stamp Farms has been ordered to stand trial for his role in a multi-million dollar fraud plot.
Previously, former Stamp Farms owner Michael Stamp pleaded guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit crop insurance fraud. A plea deal in the case was rejected last month, as Judge Paul L. Maloney said the sentencing was too lenient.
As a result, Stamp has withdrawn his guilty plea and will now stand trial in October.
His wife Melissa had also pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, as prosecutors say she helped cover up fraud activities.
Since both cases needed to be resolved at the same time, the rejection would have voided her plea deal as well.
However, Melissa has since filed a motion for the court to accept her plea deal as is. Melissa and her legal team contend that the reasoning for Michael’s plea rejection do not apply to her own plea deal.
A decision on Melissa’s motion has not been made at this time.
