Mar: 03, 2013

Will internal Teamsters investigation lead to criminal charges?

Many people in Minneapolis may not have a problem with a company or organization doing their own internal investigations into individuals’ behaviors, but questions may be raised when that information is turned over to police for criminal prosecution. What may start as an investigation into the possibility of missing money can quickly turn into an accusation of a white-collar crime. But because company officials are not restricted to the evidence rules that limit what police officers can do, individuals’ privacy may be violated.

Feb: 02, 2013

Beltrami County deputy arrests 2 on marijuana charges

Two Bemidji residents are in custody after a Beltrami County sheriff’s deputy came to their home to serve one of the residents with civil filings. When the 29-year-old man opened the door to accept services, the deputy claims the smell of marijuana was quite strong. After applying for a search warrant, police officers searched the home and claim to have found 85 marijuana plants.

Feb: 02, 2013

Minnesota law supposedly contributes to insurance fraud

Anyone in St. Paul who has been in a car accident knows that Minnesota is a no fault state, meaning that an insurance company will pay any bill related to an accident, no matter who causes the accident. While this helps to protect people who might otherwise be unable to cover their medical costs following an accident, some people are saying the policy is also contributing to insurance fraud, a felony under Minnesota law.

Jan: 02, 2013

Prosecutors refuse to charge man with vehicular homicide

There is a gut reaction that many people in Minnesota have to fatal pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian is hit, most people will say the driver is automatically at fault and should face serious criminal charges. In some cases, this is true and the driver will be charged with vehicular homicide. In many other cases, however, it is the pedestrian’s fault that he or she was hit. However regrettable a fatal pedestrian accident is, a driver cannot be held criminally liable for the pedestrian’s death if it is the pedestrian’s fault.

Dec: 02, 2012

Women accuse doctor of sexual assault during examination

It is many Minneapolis residents’ worst nightmares to be accused of a crime and not have any witnesses to back them up. Imagine being arrested and charged with sexual assault by someone; the first thing to do would be to find people who could say that you are innocent. But, what if you were alone with the accuser and that is when he or she said you committed the assault? What do you do when it is just your word against the accuser’s? Unfortunately, that is the situation that a former Mankato Clinic doctor is now facing.

Nov: 02, 2012

Rochester man sentenced to 14 years for robbery

Despite pleading guilty in the case, a 25-year-old man from Rochester was still given a stiff sentence inside federal court recently. The man, who pled guilty to robbing three different McDonald’s restaurants, was sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

Nov: 02, 2012

Mankato football coach cleared of child pornography charges

Earlier this fall we covered the story of the Minnesota State Mankato football coach who was charged with child pornography after an information technology employee found videos on his work cellphone. The videos allegedly showed his three children naked and playing and led to very serious criminal charges. Today, a Blue Earth County judge dismissed all charges against him.

Oct: 02, 2012

Embezzlement, white-collar crimes still end with prison

Many people in Minnesota may talk of “country club prisons” in which those convicted of white-collar crimes go for a few years, waiting for the end of their sentences. The idea that rich people convicted o fembezzlement in Minneapolis would somehow end up in anything short of the prisons used for everyone else, however, is preposterous. Though individuals who were convicted of white-collar charges may be in lower-security prisons, they are still in prison.

Oct: 02, 2012

No jail time for Minnesota basketball star

A University of Minnesota basketball star was relieved last week to learn that he will not be put in jail for violating his parole when he was charged with drinking and driving in July. The decision was made by a Miami-Dade judge, who concluded that the basketball player still has “the ability to turn around.”

Oct: 02, 2012

Exemplary life lightens sentence for convicted bank president

It may be true that the purest of plans often go awry, as it seems to have been the case for a Minnesota bank president whose efforts to save a failing bank has led to a conviction for white-collar crimes. Ultimately, however, a federal district court judge gave the man a light sentence, noting he has led an “exemplary life” and is known for community service and philanthropy. He will not have to pay any fines nor make restitution.

Tag: Minnesota