Culture Farms Inc., a Kansas company accused...

Culture Farms Inc., a Kansas company accused by state and federal officials of operating a pyramid scheme through the sale of milk-based bacteria cultures, Wednesday filed two lawsuits in excess of $15 million against two former associated firms.

In separate suits filed in U.S. District Court in Topeka, the Lawrence-based company seeks $14.3 million from Activator Supply Co. of Reno, Nev., and $704,743 from House of Cleopatra Secrets Inc. of Los Angeles.

The suits seek to recover money for grown cultures and other items purchased by Culture Farms, according to Stephen McGiffert of Kansas City, Kan., an attorney for Culture Farms.

Last week, Culture Farms filed for protection from its 27,000 creditors nationwide under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Investors paid about $63 million to become involved in the culture-growing operation. While many made a profit, state and federal investigators said thousands of people are still waiting to be paid for their cultures.