Insurance Company Denies Claims by North Dakota Potato Baron

The group that insures an Idaho potato company says it should not have to pay the legal bills of a North Dakota man who serves as chairman of the company.

Ronald Offutt Jr., of Fargo, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Twin City Fire Insurance Co. of breach of contract. Offutt says Twin City should pay his defense costs in a separate suit over alleged price fixing.

Offutt is chairman of Idahoan Foods LLC.

Offutt is among the defendants in a complaint filed by Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. against United Potato Growers of America and other parties.

In its response filed Friday, Twin City said the policy does not cover Offutt because the potato lawsuit does not “arise solely by reason of his serving” as chairman of Idahoan Foods.