Feds: Ex-Mpls Chamber CEO stole $200K+ and $30K Crime Stoppers; indicted
Federal prosecutors have indicted former Minneapolis Regional Chamber CEO Jonathan Weinhagen, accusing him of embezzling more than $200,000 between Dec. 2019 and June 2024 — including allegedly diverting $30,000 the Chamber donated to Crime Stoppers for three unsolved 2021 Minneapolis child shootings. The indictment alleges he used a sham consulting firm called Synergy Partners and the alias "James Sullivan" (with a fake obituary), opened a Chamber line of credit and drew over $125,000, signed sham contracts generating more than $100,000 for himself, and attempted to secure a SoFi loan by falsely claiming employment and a $425,000 salary; Weinhagen has resigned from the Mounds View school board and the Chamber says it is cooperating with the Department of Justice.
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📌 Key Facts
- Jonathan Weinhagen, the former president/CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
- Prosecutors allege a scheme running Dec. 2019–June 2024 in which Weinhagen diverted funds from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.
- The indictment says he allegedly diverted more than $200,000 from the Chamber — including drawing over $125,000 on a Chamber line of credit and signing sham contracts that generated over $100,000 for himself.
- He is accused of diverting a $30,000 Chamber donation that had been designated for Crime Stoppers to reward tips in three unsolved 2021 Minneapolis child shootings.
- Authorities allege he used a sham consulting firm called “Synergy Partners,” an alias “James Sullivan” (including a fake obituary for that alias) to conceal the scheme.
- The indictment also alleges he attempted to obtain a $54,661 SoFi loan by falsely claiming employment at a restaurant holding company and a $425,000 salary.
- Weinhagen was a member of the Mounds View school board and has resigned amid the federal fraud/embezzlement allegations.
- The Minneapolis Regional Chamber says it is cooperating with the Department of Justice and has made governance and process changes; family members of victims condemned the alleged theft of reward funds.
📰 Sources (5)
Jonathan Weinhagen resigns from Mounds View school board amid federal fraud allegations
New information:
- Jonathan Weinhagen has resigned from the Mounds View school board.
- The resignation is explicitly tied to ongoing federal fraud allegations.
Ex-Minneapolis chamber president resigns from Mounds View school board amid embezzlement charges
New information:
- Jonathan Weinhagen has resigned from the Mounds View school board.
- The resignation comes in the wake of federal embezzlement charges alleging he diverted funds from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and Crime Stoppers donations.
Feds: Former Minneapolis Chamber CEO stole reward money for unsolved crimes
New information:
- Prosecutors allege Weinhagen diverted $30,000 the Chamber donated to Crime Stoppers for three unsolved 2021 Minneapolis child shootings.
- Alleged use of a sham consulting firm “Synergy Partners” and alias “James Sullivan,” including a fake obituary for Sullivan.
- Opened a Chamber line of credit and drew over $125,000, then allegedly diverted Chamber donations to repay it.
- Signed sham contracts generating over $100,000 for himself, per the indictment.
- Attempted to secure a $54,661 SoFi Bank loan by falsely claiming employment at a restaurant holding company and a $425,000 salary.
- Scheme timeframe alleged as Dec. 2019–June 2024.
- Quote from KG Wilson (grandfather of victim Aniya Allen) condemning the alleged theft of reward funds.
- Minneapolis Regional Chamber statement pledging cooperation with DOJ and detailing governance/process changes over the past 16 months.
Former chamber exec, Mounds View school board member Jonathan Weinhagen indicted
New information:
- Identifies the former chamber executive as Jonathan Weinhagen.
- Reports that a grand jury has indicted Weinhagen in the case.
- Notes he is a current Mounds View school board member.