Recent content from Dan Browning
Radio host convicted in Ponzi scheme loses bid to overturn conviction
Judge upheld radio host Patrick Kiley's 20-year prison sentence.
Theft charges against Burnsville woman dismissed after bitter family feud
A judge found insufficient evidence in Kandiyohi County, which led a Carver County prosecutor to drop charges there as well.
U of M law grad admits guilt in porn-troll scheme
The plea bargain anticipates that attorney John Steele with cooperate with prosecutors against lawyer Paul Hansmeier, who has denied the charges.
Judge dismisses suit alleging Associated Bank aided Minnesota Ponzi scheme
The court-appointed receiver marshaling assets from Trevor Cook's fraud scheme immediately filed a notice that it would appeal the order dismissing the lawsuit.
Court holds off determining Prince's legal heirs, picks firm to oversee estate
Filings in Carver County District Court raised questions of conflicts of interest in the management of the estate.
Prince's siblings move to lock down his estate
The late musician's siblings say that a challenge to how Minnesota defines "family" is draining the estate.
Would-be heirs raise constitutional challenge over Prince estate
Attorneys say court-approved procedure for establishing heirship violates equal protection clauses of Minnesota and U.S. constitutions
Minnesota attorney general demands EpiPen maker turn over sales data
Lori Swanson has demanded information from Mylan about its pricing policies.
Jurors find former Cold Spring brewery controller guilty of fraud
The Sartell man ripped off his employer, family and friends in two separate schemes.
Daughter charged with exploiting rich mom in Burnsville family feud
A bitter feud with siblings led to audit and charges.
Crow Wing County guardian's duties stripped after neglect allegations
A pattern of unpaid bills, conflict with families.
Who's family? Sibling question at heart of Prince estate case
The issue of whether Prince and Duane Nelson shared a father has become a multimillion-dollar question in the musician's estate case.
Racial disparities in Twin Cities arrests are widespread
Despite recent attention on the city of St. Anthony, nearly every metro police department exhibits a racial disparity in its arrest rates, according to a Star Tribune analysis of recently released FBI Uniform Crime Reports data for serious crimes.
Former investment advisor pleads guilty to securities fraud
David Welliver admits misleading investors as he struggled increase the assets of his struggling mutual fund.
Lawyers may have 'potentially relevant' info on Prince heirs
A special administrator overseeing Prince's estate says confidential documents at Henson & Efron could shed light on potential heirs.
Former Cold Spring Brewing exec charged with bilking $350,000
St. Cloud man allegedly also stole over $330,000 in Ponzi scheme.
State set a record last year for punishing lawyers
The state Supreme Court disbarred six lawyers and suspended the licenses of 47 others last year.
Carver County judge to unseal filings by some of Prince's purported heirs
Documents of those claiming to be Prince's children would remain sealed but those of others may be public.
Judge may seek Minnesota appeals court review for complex Prince estate
A search through thousands of boxes of documents has yet to turn up a will.
Attorneys who Prince avoided in life now oversee his estate
He had no will, so attorneys — a profession the star distrusted — are in charge.
Prince estate hearing will be public, judge rules
Reporters will be allowed to cover the hearing, but no audio or visual recording or sketch artists will be allowed.
Who's claiming to be Prince's heirs? It's a secret
The next step will be a hearing on genetic testing rules for determining "heirship" to the estate, which has been valued at $100 million to $300 million.
In Minnesota, crimes against the elderly are 'doubling year-over-year'
Advocates gather to hash out possible solutions.
U.S. court hammers Minnesota porn troll attorney
Paul Hansmeier and his associates targeted those who downloaded porn.
Judge to decide by Thursday first conflict over Prince's estate
The trust in charge of Prince's assets says speed and expertise are needed to maximize the estate's value.
Tight deadlines proposed for potential heirs to Prince's estate
The special administrator marshaling Prince's $100 million-plus estate has submitted a proposal to verify potential heirs in an effort to resolve parentage questions by the end of the month.
Prince likely was dead for hours as picture of last days emerges
Among the new details, the singer was given an IV treatment at a local hospital the day before he died, a source with knowledge of the investigation said.
Two possible heirs file claim over Prince's $100M estate
Two more purported heirs of the late megastar Prince filed a motion in Carver County District Court on Wednesday to intervene in his $100 million-dollar-plus estate.
Local doctor treating Prince is identified in search warrant
Dr. Michael Todd Schulenberg, a family practitioner, had seen Prince twice before his body was found in a Paisley Park elevator April 21, according to the warrant.
Prince was under Minn. doctor's care over withdrawal symptoms
The local physician, who has not been publicly identified, saw the singer in the month before his death.
Judge authorizes DNA testing of Prince's blood for any heir claims
The Carver County judge overseeing Prince’s estate issued an order Friday giving the special administrator permission to conduct DNA tests of the late musician’s blood,…
Special administrator for Prince's estate confirmed
With the approval of most of Prince's siblings, a Carver County judge Monday confirmed the appointment of Bremer Trust, National Association as special administrator to manage the late musician's assets.
Minnesota conservator admits stealing demented woman's money
A woman who stole $4,230 from an elderly dementia patient whose finances she was managing was sentenced last week in Anoka County to a year…
Without a will, it could take years to estimate Prince's estate
The wrangling over Prince's estate began formally Tuesday when one of his siblings filed an emergency motion to have a special administrator appointed.
At least 12 sports cars reach 'well over' 100 mph on I-394
The drivers of a dozen or more high-end sports cars were cited for reckless driving Saturday after a state trooper clocked them at more than…
Minnesota tax cheats sanctioned by judge — again
While awaiting sentencing for an illegal income tax scheme, a Prior Lake couple violated the conditions of their release by helping counsel clients at their…
Minnesota couple facing prison for tax fraud busted again
The couple had pleaded guilty in November to a multimillion-dollar income tax refund scheme that preyed mostly on immigrants.
Suit alleges kids stole $24M from Champlin mom with dementia
The Engels Construction heiress, 79, has dementia; allegations focus on one son.
Embattled lawyer faces new fraud allegations, challenge from bankruptcy trustee
Trustee seeks to deny Paul Hansmeier bankruptcy protection, alleging improprieties.
Dakota County scrambles for guardians as firm quits
Meridian Services cites "business reasons" for exiting county services.
Minnesota conservator with trail of complaints is leaving cases
Clarence Coffindaffer, under fire for how he handles finances of the vulnerable, to exit.
Obituary: Public servant Leo Foley, 87, was a master of reinvention
Lord only knows what former state Sen. Leo T. Foley is up to now, but if his life is any example, his death Feb.…
Former clients of thieving conservator face new troubles in court
The fallout from the thefts by Stephen Grisham continues to roil the courts.
Social Security targets disabilities fraud in Minnesota
St. Paul unit to tackle Social Security probes.
Minnesota safeguards how vulnerable adults' money gets spent
State system has evolved into the only mandatory, online financial reporting system for conservators in the country.
Think-Off ponders effect of wealth on democracy
Can a nation built on the principle of “one person, one vote” function when the gulf between the haves and the have-nots is so wide?…
Lawsuit preceded federal raids on Minnesota chiropractic offices
The search warrants for up to 10 Twin Cities facilities remain sealed.
Coin dealer ordered to repay $2 million and is barred from industry
A bankrupt Twin Cities roofing contractor who tried to reinvent himself during the Great Recession by selling gold and silver coins has been barred for…
FBI agents raid 6 to 10 chiropractic offices in Twin Cities
The raids follow insurance company complaints about staged accidents and fraudulent billing. "This has been like 10 years in the making," Insurance Federation of Minnesota official says.
Narco-terror convict deported from Minnesota, but who is he?
Federal agencies can't agree on man's ID.
Judge orders Twin Cities man suspected of ISIL support held
At least 10 young Somali-American men from Minnesota allegedly conspired to join ISIL.
U athletics probe details serious violations of spending rules
Payments for booze, parties and hair stylists were among improper receipts found, but investigators say there is little evidence of sexual harassment at the U's athletics department during Norwood Teague's tenure.
Judge orders takeover of controversial Mpls. lawyer's assets
The judge cited a pattern of dishonesty in rejecting request to pay off debts over five years.
U regents say they were kept in dark about Teague complaints
Regents say they were kept in the dark initially as sexual harassment complaints led to resignation of Norwood Teague.
U to release results of athletic department investigations
The reports include a review into sexual harassment in the athletics department and an internal financial audit under former athletic director Norwood Teague.
Nov. 17, 2015: Minn. couple plead guilty to tax scam preying on immigrants
Costly scheme targeted immigrants seeking help in Minnesota and Florida.
Minneapolis lawyer facing ethics complaint over porn suits
Bankruptcy trustee objects to debt relief plan for attorney who filed "nuisance lawsuits."
Key Minnesota athletics executive Mike Ellis resigns
Mike Ellis has been on voluntary leave at the U's request since late August pending an investigation into unspecified complaints against him.
Minnesota political consultant seeks to ditch debts, legal history
Bankruptcy trustee is investigating Jonathan Aanestad's petition for relief.
U report hints at concerns about gender equity in athletics
Details of 2014 consultant's review of athletics department have never been publicly released
Federal white collar crime prosecutions decline in Minnesota
As prosecutions dip, feds cite complexity of crimes, stretched resources.
Immigration fraud case leads to small farm in Foley, Minn.
A family-owned vegetable farm is at the center of an alleged conspiracy to bring in workers with false papers from the Dominican Republic, force them to pay illegal fees and threaten them to keep them quiet.
U says IT chief resigned under pressure after multiple complaints
Between May and August, the university received four complaints against Scott Studham accusing him of rigging contracts, hiring friends without competitive bids, using university funds for personal expenses, and other misconduct.
U athletics official takes leave after new complaints surface
An associate athletic director at the University of Minnesota is on leave pending an investigation into five anonymous complaints against him in the wake of Athletic Director Norwood Teague's resignation.
Feds: Mpls. fund adviser used client money for new car, vacations, liquor
A former adviser to police and fire pension funds in Minneapolis faces a federal indictment for allegedly bilking mutual fund investors out of $1.2 million.
IRS investigating Minnesota options trader, investment coach
The IRS sent an undercover agent to meet with a Minnesota options trader and author suspected of tax evasion and fraud.
Suit over Ponzi scheme survives challenge by Associated Bank
An Associated Bank executive allegedly facilitated a scheme that defrauded 700 investors out of $194 million.
Minnesota Chamber seeks changes in laws to halt disability-access suits
Business owners try to head off expensive lawsuits described as a "cash cow."
Judge throws the book at Twin Cities coin fraudster
The judge said Jay Flynn preyed on elderly victims, stole their savings and refused to answer their calls. The judge then gave the former Twin Cities coin and bullion dealer a stiffer sentence than the prosecutor sought: 52 months in prison.
Explore overtime pay for metro area public employees
Workers in metro county sheriff's departments top the list of county employees earning the most overtime as a percent of their total earnings.
Staffing shortages send overtime soaring in sheriff's agencies
Counties are so short-staffed that even handling 911 calls is a struggle.
State security guard supports dozens with overtime payday
No state employee works longer hours than Abu Kamara. In the past five years, the 59-year-old “security counselor” at the Minnesota State Security Hospital…
Crooked coin broker admits, "I've hurt people," gets 12 years
A federal judge sentenced the 54-year-old to more than 12 years in prison.
Minnesota coin dealer gets 6 years for fraud
Federal judge laments that his $753,000 restitution order likely won't produce much from habitual fraudster when he completes his 71 month prison term.
June 27: Three Minnesota coin dealers are headed for the clink
The three Twin Cities dealers preyed on elderly and vulnerable clients, stealing millions over time.
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