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Ex-Minneapolis Chamber CEO Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges Over Alleged $200,000 Theft

He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond after an initial appearance in federal court.

Overview

  • A grand jury charged Jonathan Weinhagen with two counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, attempted bank fraud, and making a false statement in a loan application.
  • Prosecutors say he created a sham vendor, Synergy Partners, using a fictitious owner to secure contracts that directed more than $100,000 from the Chamber for personal use.
  • Charging documents allege he opened a Chamber line of credit at Northeast Bank, drew more than $125,000, and tried to hide it with fake emails and a fabricated obituary for the fake owner.
  • Authorities assert he sought to reclaim $30,000 in unclaimed Crime Stoppers reward funds by routing a refund check to his home address and depositing the money.
  • The indictment also accuses him of lying about income and employment to seek a $54,661 SoFi loan, and he did not enter a plea as his attorney declined comment.