Hennepin County (trfnews.i234.me) — Former Minneapolis Regional Chamber CEO Jonathan Weinhagen has pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud.
Prosecutors say the 42-year-old admitted guilt Monday in U.S. District Court in St. Paul.
He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.
According to court records, Weinhagen stole more than $200,000 from the chamber over several years.
The embezzlement weakened the business group’s finances.
He was first charged in October with five fraud counts.
The case involved a made-up company, a fake obituary, and misused donations.
On Monday, he acknowledged all of the indictment’s claims.
The single mail fraud count is tied to a $30,000 Crime Stoppers donation.
The chamber intended the money for a reward fund.
It was meant to help solve three 2021 child shooting cases in north Minneapolis,
two of which were deadly.
Prosecutors say Weinhagen kept the $30,000 instead.
He also redirected money from two companies that believed they were helping a political fund.
Those funds were meant for All of Mpls, which supports moderate DFL candidates.
Instead, officials say he used the money to pay off a credit line.
That line of credit was in the chamber’s name but used for personal costs.
Under the plea, Weinhagen faces an expected prison range of 27 to 33 months.
He also faces a fine that could reach $95,000.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
He agreed to pay $213,200 in restitution.
That includes $153,000 to the chamber and $60,000 to two companies.
Those firms are not publicly named in the documents.
Background on federal mail fraud laws is available through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Crime Stoppers programs and reward policies are outlined on the Crime Stoppers USA website.
The Minneapolis Regional Chamber explains its role in the city’s business community
on its website.
Leaders there say they are working to recover from the losses.
Weinhagen did not speak about his motives during the hearing.
He left the court without commenting to reporters.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
