Wayzata Woman Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement in Hecker Bankruptcy Case

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota
April 20, 2010

A 36-year-old Wayzata woman appeared in federal court in Minneapolis today to plead guilty to making a false statement in the Dennis Hecker bankruptcy case. She also pleaded guilty to defrauding a federal credit union while seeking an automobile loan. Appearing before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Christi Michele Rowan specifically pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud and one count of bank fraud. Rowan was charged on April 9, 2010.

In her plea agreement, Rowan admitted that on October 13, 2009, she provided false testimony under oath during a Rule 2004 examination conducted by the U.S. Trustee in the Hecker bankruptcy case. Rowan falsely testified that she made more than $150,000 per year as an employee of Gannett, when, in fact, she did not. In addition, Rowan admitted that on April 9, 2009, she defrauded Endura Financial Federal Credit Union by submitting a false loan application for a 2008 Land Rover. The application included a false and fraudulent 2008 W-2 Wage and Tax Statement as well as other false statements provided by Rowan regarding the nature and duration of her employment.

Rowan faces a potential maximum penalty of 35 years in prison for her crimes. Judge Ericksen will determine her sentence at a future date, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole A. Engisch, Nancy E. Brasel, and David M. Genrich.