Gov't: Deerfield couple scammed Best Buy out of at least $31 mil

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The federal government says a kickback scheme that may have cost Best Buy. Co. at least $31 million yielded money that a couple used to buy real estate in the Chicago area.

Now the government wants to seize the $2.8 million property in Deerfield.

The details were spelled out in a federal affidavit made public this week in St. Paul.

It says the property was purchased by a couple whose business submits online bids for computer parts. The couple would allegedly bill Richfield-based Best Buy at prices significantly higher than agreed upon.

The affidavit says the couple billed Best Buy for $60 million over four years, more than half the charges at fraudulently inflated prices.

Neither owner of the business has been charged.