An Alexandria business owner reported a major financial fraud in January 2023, accusing Brandon man Brian John Poepping of stealing over $500,000 from the company. Poepping was charged with two felony theft by swindle counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.
Poepping started working at the business in April 2021 and established his own company in December of the same year. The fraudulent activities allegedly took place from February 3, 2022, to November 9, 2023, during which time $544,405.40 was paid to Poepping’s company. An investigation revealed that Poepping had billed the company for services and materials that were never provided or received. He was accused of altering invoices using White-Out and approving them by forging his initials.
Poepping confessed to the theft in a text message to his former employer. Further investigation uncovered that he used multiple bank accounts to avoid reporting larger transactions, immediately transferring or spending the money after depositing it. The state plans to prosecute the case as a major economic crime under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. Travis Gulbrandson, who covers Osakis School Board, Osakis City Council, Brandon-Evansville School Board will focus on reporting on this case.
