Feds: Former Minneapolis Chamber CEO stole reward money

A federal grand jury has indicted former president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Weinhagen, on charges of stealing $200,000 from the organization, including $30,000 the chamber offered as reward money after the incident. Three children shot In 2021.

Weinhagen, 42, abruptly left his job in 2024 after an internal investigation found a projected shortfall of $500,000, according to Star Tribune.

Weinhagen made his first appearance Thursday afternoon on charges of wire fraud, wire fraud, attempted bank fraud, and making a false statement on a loan application.

Prosecutors did not request remand, and Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright ordered Weinhagen released on $25,000 unsecured bail. He does not have to provide cash or guarantees, but he could face financial penalties if he fails to appear for subsequent hearings.

Weinhagen has not entered a plea. After the hearing, defense attorney Joseph Dixon declined to comment to MPR News on the charges.

Prosecutors say Weinhagen invented a fictional company called Synergy Partners with a fictional owner, James Sullivan, which he used to enter into fraudulent contracts with the chamber. According to the indictment, Weinhagen required the chamber to pay Synergy more than $100,000 under contracts, which he used for personal expenses.

This is a breaking news story and more reporting will follow.