(The Center Square) – The former head of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce was indicted on charges that he abused his position to commit a fraud scheme and embezzle money into a fictitious consulting company while using the funds for personal expenses, according to media reports.
Jonathan Weinhagen was charged with embezzling more than $200,000 while committing wire fraud, mail fraud, attempted bank fraud and making false loan statements, according to the indictment.
Weinhagen is also a school board member of Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview.
He is accused of having $100,000 paid from the chamber to his company, Synergy Partners, while borrowing $125,000 for Synergy Partners.
He is accused of creating a fictitious “James Sullivan,” creating a fake obituary for Sullivan on Legacy.com saying he died from pancreatic cancer and sent fake emails claiming that Synergy Partners no longer existed, according to media reports.
Weinhagen is also accused of stealing $30,000 in Crime Stoppers reward money.
Weinhagen reportedly resigned from the chamber in June 2024 following an internal investigation.
