LEEDS, N.D. (Prairie Public) – A member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission is raising some questions concerning a plea deal federal prosecutors reached with a grain trader from Leeds, who investigators allege was running his grain business like a Ponzi scheme.

Under the deal, 22 year old Hunter Hanson will plead guilty to federal charges of money laundering and wire fraud. He operated grain elevators in Tunbridge and Rohrville, and had a roving grain buyer’s license.

The deal said Hanson will forfeit his assets, and he will pay restitution of $11.4 million, owed to creditors. The PSC, meanwhile, was appointed as bankruptcy trustee in state court. And Commissioner Randy Christmann says  he has some questions about what’s described in that plea deal.

Christmann says he thinks a lot of people have been led to believe that they’re getting their money back.

Christmann says he has some doubt about how much will be paid back to producers. Meanwhile, he says the PSC’s process continues.

Christmann says the grain has been sold, and the PSC is waiting for the proceeds. He says some money will also come from the grain indemnity fund. Christmann says staff is now looking at the claims, to see which ones are legitimate, and which aren’t.