Shakopee man sentenced for role in $3.1 million ponzi scheme
Shakopee man is sentenced for role in $3.1 million ponzi scheme
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Shakopee man is sentenced for role in $3.1 million ponzi scheme
After his arrest, Ray Brewer claimed he saved several soldiers from a fire while serving in the Navy, but later admitted, "these were both lies meant to curry favor with law enforcement."
A federal jury has awarded a record $564 million in damages to victims of a massive Ponzi scheme by Minnesota businessman Tom Petters.
Last week a judge granted a motion to freeze the couple's assets. Jason and Angela Bullard have one more day to give the court the estimated value of all property, along with how much investors say they are owed.
"They're alleging a very classic Ponzi scheme, much modeled after [Bernie] Madoff," attorney Doug Kelley said.
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that the money will be distributed to approximately 364 people worldwide. This money is in addition to the $16 million that was initially distributed to victims.
Sixty-eight-year-old James Nickels earlier pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors say Nickels convinced family, friend and neighbors to invest in his sham business.
About $16.4 million stolen by Tom Petters has now been returned to 364 investors.
Federal authorities say a Minnesota man accused of bilking investors of more than $1 million has pleaded guilty.
A Twin Cities chiropractor who has already spent time in prison for a Ponzi scheme is going back for the same crime.
A St. Paul man is charged with stealing more than $350,000 from a Minnesota brewery, and stealing almost as much from others in an alleged Ponzi scheme.
A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing from investors in his wealth management company and using the money to buy a luxury SUV and run a Ponzi-style scheme.
Jury selection begins Monday for the trial of former Minnesota Vikings Stu Voigt. Voigt and his business partner Jeffrey Gardner head to federal court this week for allegedly bilking investors out of millions of dollars. The two face several criminal charges in connection to a real estate scheme between 2005 and 2007.
More than seven years after the financial collapse of one Minnesota's most powerful businessmen, victims are still waiting for money.
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt has pleaded not guilty in an alleged Ponzi scheme. Voigt entered his plea Thursday after being indicted earlier in April on charges of conspiracy and fraud.
Two Minnesota men, including a former Minnesota Vikings tight end, are charged with running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars. The U.S. Attorney's office says 66-year-old Stu Voigt and 61-year-old Jeffery Gardner face several criminal charges in connection to a real estate scheme between 2005 and 2007.
A Eden Prairie man plead guilty Wednesday to using his financial planning firm to operate a Ponzi scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars from former clients, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. Sean Meadows, 41, plead guilty to three counts of mail fraud, seven counts of wire fraud and money laundering offenses.
Federal prosecutors say a Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to defrauding investors of more than $19 million. Fifty-five-year-old Tyrone Herman of St. Anthony entered his plea Friday in U.S. District Court. According to court documents, Herman claimed he could purchase small appliances from manufacturers and wholesalers at below-retail market rates.
The final three defendants have been sentenced in the $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme led by Minnesota businessman Tom Petters. U.S. District Judge Richard Kyle handed down a 7 ½-year sentence Friday to hedge fund manager Bruce Prevost for his role in misleading investors in Palm Beach Capital Management, a Florida hedge fund that put money into Petters' scheme before it collapsed in 2008.
The man found guilty of orchestrating Minnesota's largest Ponzi scheme finally admitted on Wednesday that he did it. Tom Petters was in U.S. District Court in St. Paul on Wednesday trying to get 20 years shaved off his prison sentence.
Convicted Minnesota businessman Tom Petters returns to federal court this week to try to shorten his 50-year prison term. The attempt to get 20 years removed might be Petters' last chance to go after a lighter sentence.
Frank Elroy Vennes Jr. was sentenced to 180 months in prison on Friday, in connection with fraudulently raising money through hedge funds for investment in Petters Company. Vennes was a long-time associate of Thomas J. Petters, the Minnesota businessman convicted in 2009 of orchestrating a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme.
Despite owing his victims more than $1 million, a Twin Cities chiropractor twice convicted of fraud again has his license to practice. Fifteen years ago, Randy Miland served two years in prison for a Ponzi scheme. He later served another three years for a real estate investment scam. A judge ordered Miland to pay more than one-and-a-half million dollars in restitution. That hasn't happened.
The fourth man convicted in a $194 million Ponzi scheme - the second largest in Minnesota history - was sentenced Monday to 240 months in federal prison. According to the U.S. Attorney General's office, 75-year-old Patrick Kiley of Burnsville was convicted last June of 12 counts of wire and mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Kiley - along with ring leader Trevor Cook, Jason Bo-Alan Beckman, Gerald Joseph Durand and Christopher Pettengill – were all solely and jointly ordered to pay $155,359,411 in restitution to their victims.
A former associate of convicted Minnesota businessman Tom Petters has pleaded guilty to lying to investors in a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
There was no immediate reason given for the 81-year-old's hospitalization.
Anthony Edwards might be back for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, barely a week after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
What started as an event to celebrate art and foster dialogue in 1975 has grown into a large nonprofit festival that also kicks off the warmer seasons.
The Minnesota Wild will be without forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first two games of their second-round playoff series against Colorado because of lower-body injuries.
What started as an event to celebrate art and foster dialogue in 1975 has grown into a large nonprofit festival that also kicks off the warmer seasons.
Court documents show Andrew Nietz pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder on Friday.
Police in Minneapolis say a 9-year-old boy who went missing Saturday afternoon has been found safe.
Sunday afternoon will be another mild one with highs near 70 under a sunny sky.
Along Cesar Chavez Street, it was high energy and sunny smiles as Minnesota's capital city celebrated Cinco de Mayo with its annual parade.
Sunday afternoon will be another mild one with highs near 70 under a sunny sky.
Police in Brainerd, Minnesota, are investigating after a car fatally struck a pedestrian Friday night.
We warm up on Saturday as temperatures will hit a high in the mid-60s. The start of the day will be sunny, but clouds will move in by the afternoon.
A combination of snowmelt and heavy rain is shutting down roads in northern Minnesota.
Video captured in the woods near Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park shows the first documented evidence of cougar reproduction in the state in more than a century.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help California gun dealers import illegal armor-piercing rounds from Europe.
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
There was no immediate reason given for the 81-year-old's hospitalization.
It's the only open district in the entire state because the incumbent Angie Craig is running for U.S. Senate. Former state senator and DFL candidate Matt Little joins Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
Sen. Tina Smith is retiring from the U.S. Senate. She is using her last months in office to advance a progressive agenda and has lead the effort to keep out copper mining near the Boundary Waters.
A Minnesota House panel found no probable cause in ethics complaints filed against GOP state Reps. Elliott Engen and Walter Hudson or Democratic state Rep. Alex Falconer.
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
The bill would provide an average refund increase of $171 to homeowners after sharp property tax increases across the state this year.
The bills aim to close what supporters call a gambling law loophole, allowing for these prediction markets to flourish with no regulations.
Court documents show Andrew Nietz pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder on Friday.
A Minnesota State Trooper was injured when a stolen car carrying three people ran a stop sign and T-boned their squad car.
Police were called to the home on the 3000 block of Girard Avenue North shortly after 3 a.m. after hearing about the stabbing.
Parker, who admitted lying to investigators and sheltering her son after he sent gunmen to kill his ex-girlfriend, is the last of five people sentenced in the November 2022 Brooklyn Park murder.
A shooting in Edina, Minnesota, on Friday is unrelated to a killing that occurred blocks away just over a week ago, according to police.
When devoted Vikings fan Steven Clarkin died unexpectedly in March, he alone likely saved the lives of several people.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
HCMC is on life support, as leaders warn the state's busiest trauma hospital could be just months away from closing without an infusion of cash. Two demonstrations in downtown Minneapolis tried to spotlight the problem on Thursday.
There is bipartisan support to help save the hospital, but the state Senate is proposing less money than the House. One former patient has something to say to those lawmakers.
Hold Your Horses is a local nonprofit that provides therapy alongside horses and the natural world for people of all ages and abilities.
Mononymous country music star Hardy is set to kick off the final weekend of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
A previously unreleased song is one of many ways Prince is being honored a decade after his death.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
A video game is helping people experience the Ojibwe culture in a new way.
Anthony Edwards might be back for Game 1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves' playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, barely a week after appearing to suffer a serious knee injury.
The Minnesota Wild will be without forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first two games of their second-round playoff series against Colorado because of lower-body injuries.
Andrew Morris pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Joe Ryan, who exited with elbow soreness, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 to split a four-game series.
Montreal's Laura Stacey had the first hat trick in PWHL postseason history, but Jincy Roese scored 4:30 into overtime and the Minnesota Frost beat the Victoire 5-4 in the opener of the best-of-five semifinal.
Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy asked University of Minnesota Professor Michael Minta if that momentum will hold strong through the midterm elections.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
The pet insurance industry is relatively new, and experts say that's partly why there's a low number of policies, but it is growing.
The popular afternoon pick-me-up in a cup is like a super food, supplement and medicine cure-all.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says tomorrow will be partly cloudy and breezy with highs in the upper 60s.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says this afternoon will be another mild one with highs near 70 under a sunny sky.
Sunday afternoon will be another mild one with highs near 70 under a sunny sky.
Sunday will be breezy but high temperatures will be closer to the 70s. Rain chances return for the start of the work week. Meteorologist Ada, Del Rosso breaks down the timing of it all.
This weekend a major rescue mission is underway in Wisconsin. Fifteen hundred beagles have been released from Ridglan Farms, a facility near Madison that breeds beagles for biomedical research. As Bella Ferak reports, the dogs are now being transferred away from that testing facility to find new homes.
This beautiful spring day is also the backdrop of Mayday festivities! Both the annual parade and a Minneapolis block party. Marielle Mohs went to both and shows us how the community is coming together.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says tomorrow will be partly cloudy and breezy with highs in the upper 60s.
Law enforcement tell us a stolen car was going 80 miles an hour when it ran a stop sign and crashed into a State Patrol squad car in South Minneapolis. A 19-year-old driver was arrested. Conor Wight shares the latest and what one advocate says contributes to crimes like this.
Strokes are something that can affect anyone at any moment. Mark Hassenstab, a stroke survivor, joins Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield on WCCO Sunday Morning at 7 a.m.