Rural landowner leases 80 acres of farmland to a neighbor, a politician, to farm—neighbor plants illegal corn, plows through the landowner’s driveway—tries to deny ever signing a contract when cops arrive, loses elected seat: ‘I showed him the contract’ – FAIL Blog

People have short memories. And what we do actually remember isn’t reliable. Even if the best of intentions are had, it’s easy for things to get crossed. And then, the best of intentions aren’t always had…

A rural landowner purchased 80 acres with plans to build a home and rented the surrounding fields to a neighboring farmer. who was also a prominent local elected official, after negotiating better terms and requiring three specific conditions in a signed contract. The neighbor ignored those conditions, literally plowing right through them… and through a prepared driveway. Then planting crops where there had been construction immediately scheduled.

When construction crews drove through the unauthorized cornfield to continue the project, the neighbor denied ever signing a contract and attempted to use his influence as a county commissioner to stop the work. After the landowner produced the signed agreement, a responding police officer supported his position, eventually purchasing the corn, paying him the rent, and refusing to participate in the neighbor’s attempt to falsify payment records. 

All of this eventually led to events that likely led to the neighbor losing his elected position after allegations that he had used his office for personal gain. A costly mistake all over a little corn.