Farmer, reality TV star pleads guilty to multimillion-dollar crop insurance fraud

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KTV/Gray News) – A reality TV star and a farmer have pleaded guilty in federal court to a multimillion-dollar insurance fraud scheme.

Steve McBee, 52, who stars in “The McBee Dynasty: The Real American Cowboys,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal crop insurance fraud in one county.

Steve McBee, owner of McBee Farming Operations, pleaded guilty to one count of federal... — Steve McBee, owner of McBee Farming Operations, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to one count of federal crop insurance fraud.(Image courtesy of Peacock)

McBee admitted to fraudulent activity between 2018 and 2020 that caused USDA more than $4 million in economic losses.

According to court documents, McBee admitted to making a false report to Rain and Hail, which was insured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. The falsified documents understated his total 2018 corn harvest by approximately 674,812 bushels and his total 2018 soybean harvest by approximately 155,833 bushels.

The false reports resulted in McBee receiving more than $2.6 million in federal crop insurance benefits and more than $500,000 in federal crop insurance premium subsidies.

In addition to one felony charge to which he pleaded guilty, McBee also said he committed additional fraud in 2019 and 2020.

McBee could face 30 years in federal prison without parole under federal laws.

McBee told KCTV in April that his reality show was about the upcoming decision of which of his four sons to give control of his business to.

“I think this is probably the most realistic reality show on the market today,” he said before the show premiered on Peacock.

According to KCTV, whoever takes over the farm will have to control $50 million in debt while seeking to secure a $100 million deal with a venture capital firm.