Minneapolis CEO accused of embezzling $200K for personal expenses — including first-class trip to Hawaii
Jonathan Weinhagen, the former chief executive of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, is expected to plead guilty to five federal fraud counts after authorities say he embezzled more than $200 k from the organization. Court filings and the Star Tribune reveal he used the money for a pricey trip to Hawaii and other personal luxuries. When a former board colleague, Scott Burns, learned of the allegations he said, “When I first heard about it, it was like ‘Good God, what?’” He added, “I can’t piece it together. You could make a TV movie out of it.”
Weinhagen, 42, stepped down in June 2024 after an internal audit uncovered a sizable deficit that forced the chamber to lay off five staffers. His scheme—running from 2019 until his resignation—took advantage of a fake consulting firm called “Synergy Partners,” and a fabricated obituary on Legacy.com for a nonexistent partner, “James Sullivan.” He is also alleged to have used the chamber’s credit card to finance personal travel and, after leaving the organization, attempted to obtain a $54,000 loan from SoFi. In addition, Weinhagen is accused of siphoning a $30,000 Crime Stoppers reward fund intended to solve three 2021 shootings involving children; when the money remained unclaimed, he demanded a refund to his home address and then spent the cash on himself.
The forthcoming plea hearing is scheduled for Monday in the U.S. District Court in St. Paul. These accusations arrive amid growing scrutiny of Minnesota’s federal welfare fraud programs, some of which have reportedly funneled funds to the Somalia‑based terrorist group al‑Shabaab.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
