Heckers in court haggling over money and records

The attorney for Denny Hecker's ex-wife complained in court Friday that the bankrupt auto dealer failed to fully disclose information about his finances, citing a newly discovered bank account and a well-used American Express credit card in the name of "J. Hecker."

"We have seen charges and expense of $20,000 and $30,000 a month" and would like to know where Hecker got the money and where it is going, said Tamitha Hecker's attorney, Becky Toevs Rooney. Those answers must be forthcoming if the couple hopes to settle their divorce fairly, she said.

Hennepin District Judge Jay Quam officially dissolved the couple's marriage last month, but the judge left questions about child custody, a prenuptial agreement and permanent alimony to be resolved. On Thursday, Quam threatened Hecker with 90 days in jail if he failed to repay a 401(k) plan he cashed out in September.

Friday, Quam approved an agreement in which Hecker would pay about $9,021 in late alimony payments to his second wife, Sandra, who was also in court. Quam also demanded answers about Hecker's other financial dealings that had been kept from the court and Tamitha.

An American Express credit card statement submitted in U.S. bankruptcy court this week showed that a "J. Hecker" incurred $36,124 in new charges in August and $17,972 in July. Hecker told Quam the credit card was a business credit card obtained through his now-defunct Walden Fleet Service business. Hecker said he had asked a former employee to issue the card on his behalf.

"I am not able to get a credit card," said Hecker, who filed for bankruptcy in June, claiming $767 million in debts and $18.5 million in assets.

Quam questioned why the credit card was issued under the name J. Hecker. J Hecker is Hecker's son.

Quam was not satisfied.

"Did you use the card?" he asked Hecker.

"Yes, I did," Hecker responded.

Skolnick said the credit account has since been closed and noted that Hecker opened a bank account at Crown Bank as recently as December.

Toevs Rooney said Hecker's "profound history of non-disclosure" made it difficult to know the exact worth of the marital estate or if much of its value was going to Hecker's girlfriend, Christi Rowan. Toeves Rooney also noted Hecker's offer to buy back his Harley Davidson and boat docks from the bankruptcy trustee who is liquidating the Hecker estate.

In bankruptcy court this week, trustee Randy Seaver noted that banks are foreclosing on the Heckers' Northridge Drive mansion in Medina, the same property Hecker's girlfriend has been living in. The trustee is asking the court to transfer its interest in the property to Hecker's longtime business associate Ralph Thomas in exchange for $75,000. A hearing is set for Jan. 27.