Saying the promoter of Stillwater’s Lumberjack Days may be guilty of bad business decisions, but not of attempting to defraud creditors, an attorney for the promoter is asking for the criminal charges against the man to be dismissed. His attorney maintains that his client merely could not pay the creditors, but was not purposely trying to cheat anyone out of money.
It was back in November when 10 felony charges were filed against the former Lumberjack Days promoter. These charges resulted in the Stillwater City Council declaring a moratorium on the popular summertime festival.
In looking at what happened leading up to these charges, a prosecutor claims there is evidence suggesting the promoter intended to defraud creditors. This was why he issued bad checks for services.
However, his attorney claims the checks were a symbol of the fact that he intended to pay when he had the money.
His attorney also claims the promoter transferred more than $200,000 of his own money into the festival and tried to find private investors. Sadly though, these attempts to save the business did not work. In addition to the business failing in 2011, the former promoter filed for personal bankruptcy.
Looking at the fact that bad checks were issued and he was unable to pay for certain services, his attorney points to this being reflective of bad business decisions, but not criminal activity.
However, the Washington County attorney’s office is still adamant the promoter continued to defraud his creditors while offering promises of repayment. A prosecutor tied to the case also accuses the promoter of diverting thousands of dollars for his own personal use instead of paying back what was owed.
Source: StarTribune, “Attorney seeks dismissal of charges against Lumberjack Days promoter in Stillwater,” Kevin Giles Oct. 6, 2013