John (Jack) Griffin, founder of Philadelphia-based Second Story Farming Inc., which operated under the name Metropolis Farms, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion. The charges follow nearly a decade after Griffin publicly promoted his company as a model for transforming food production through accessible, scalable vertical farming technology.
In a 2016 TEDx talk, Griffin described plans to build "the world's first vertical farming city" in Philadelphia, positioning vertical farming as a cost-effective solution for year-round indoor crop production. He claimed Metropolis Farms' high-density system could produce more than two million pounds of food annually in just 14,000 square feet, using 80 percent less real estate and at a fraction of the cost of comparable vertical farms at the time. The technology, he said, was designed to be affordable and accessible, with equipment parts sourced from hardware stores and minimal training required for operators.
Expanding beyond food production
"We can grow everything," Griffin stated in the talk, citing crops from tomatoes and lettuce to microgreens and even wasabi. He also highlighted strawberries grown by the company, claiming they were superior to supermarket produce, free from genetic modification, and reminiscent of "the strawberries you had when you were a kid."
The talk also referenced plans for solar-powered vertical farms featuring water recapture systems, rooftop farms on supermarkets to reduce food miles, mobile farmers' markets to address food deserts, and classroom farms to inspire the next generation of growers.
Fraud charges and financial misconduct
According to court documents, Griffin provided two companies with financial projections in 2017 that significantly overstated potential revenues and understated operational costs. Based on these projections, both companies paid Second Story Farming to establish vertical farms.
Instead of fulfilling the contracts, Griffin used much of the funds for personal expenses and to support the company's research and development activities. He also failed to file a tax return for 2017 and attempted to conceal his income through cash withdrawals, personal spending from business accounts, and transferring funds to his wife.
Sentencing and industry lessons
Griffin pleaded guilty on June 26, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud charge and up to five years for tax evasion. Sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2025.
Metropolis Farms has not been operational since 2018, following financial disputes, legal challenges, and the closure of its Philadelphia facility. The case highlights the importance of financial due diligence and accountability in the vertical farming sector, as companies continue to promote new technologies and seek investor support.
For more information, go to the United States Department of Justice website.