Central Valley Business Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Stealing $4.8 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

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Richard Best, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced today to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a fraud scheme that stole millions of dollars’ worth of canola (used to make livestock feed) from international food processors

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Central Valley Business Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Stealing $4.8 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

Media Coverage · April 27, 2026

Richard Best, a 72-year-old Fresno business owner, was sentenced to 3 years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a $4.8 million fraud scheme that stole canola from international food processors. Best's scheme involved stealing millions of dollars' worth of canola, a key ingredient in livestock feed. This sentence holds Best accountable for his actions.

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Richard Best, a 72-year-old Fresno business owner, was sentenced to 3 years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a $4.8 million fraud scheme that stole canola from international food processors. Best's sche

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Richard Best, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced today to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a fraud scheme that stole millions of dollars’ worth of canola (used to make livestock feed) from international food processors

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Media Coverage April 27, 2026

Central Valley Business Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Stealing $4.8 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

Richard Best, a 72-year-old Fresno business owner, was sentenced to 3 years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a $4.8 million fraud scheme that stole canola from international food processors. Best's scheme involved stealing millions of dollars' worth of canola, a key ingredient in livestock feed. This sentence holds Best accountable for his actions.

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Central Valley Business Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Stealing $4.8 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

Richard Best, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced today to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a fraud scheme that stole …

Apr 27, 2026 · 1 min read