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CEO Embezzled $200K for Lavish Hawaii Trip
1 Dec
Summary
- CEO allegedly embezzled over $200,000 from the Chamber.
- Fraud included a fake company, obituary, and stolen donations.
- Funds financed a first-class trip to Hawaii and other luxuries.
Jonathan Weinhagen, former CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, faces accusations of embezzling over $200,000. The alleged fraudulent scheme, which ran from 2019 until his resignation in June 2024, involved creating a fictitious company named Synergy Partners and fabricating an obituary for its supposed owner. This allowed him to divert funds for personal use, including a first-class trip to Hawaii.
An internal financial investigation at the Chamber revealed a $500,000 budget shortfall, prompting layoffs and Weinhagen's abrupt departure. Further scrutiny uncovered nearly $300,000 in missing funds during his tenure. He also allegedly misused a chamber credit card for personal splurges and attempted to secure a fraudulent loan.
The investigation also revealed Weinhagen allegedly rerouted a $30,000 donation intended for Crime Stoppers to his home address. While an internal investigation was ongoing, his wife posted vacation photos from trips to Copenhagen and New York. Weinhagen is expected to plead guilty to the charges.
