Denny Hecker

Denny Hecker being transferred to mystery prison

Once the owner of a 17,000 square-foot mansion, fallen auto mogul Denny Hecker is now just trying to find a stable prison cell to call home. Hecker, who pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud two years ago, was transferred out of the federal prison in Duluth on February 8, confirms Chris Burk ... More >>

Denny Hecker's pastor, Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, defends phoned-in wedding

Worthy of marriage, pastor says.​What would Jesus have done with Denny Hecker and Christi Rowan? Pastor Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren figures he would have let the bankrupt and jailed former auto magnate get married to his girlfriend, who is also facing time behind bars.

Denny Hecker phones in wedding vows to Christi Rowan

Mr. and Mrs. Jailbird.​Make that: Christi Rowan-Hecker. Fellow jailbirds Denny Hecker and Christi Rowan say they got married by phone on Feb. 22, but Minnesota law says that doesn't count, and the Hennepin County Attorney is looking into the legality of their license. If it's true that absen ... More >>

Christi Rowan, Denny Hecker's girlfriend, jailed for illegal $9,000 withdrawal [UPDATE]

Hecker and Rowan: Soul mates.​Convicted auto fraudster Denny Hecker moaned to the media from prison recently that he blamed himself for all the legal trouble facing Christi Rowan, his girlfriend -- including possible prison time of her own. But it sounds like she spent last night behind bars ... More >>

Denny Hecker's a workout-addicted vegetarian

Denny Hecker, workout fiend.​Disgraced former auto magnate and convicted felon Denny Hecker wants everyone to know that his 10-year sentence for bankruptcy fraud is doing him a world of good. He's treating his body like a temple and resting up for his next big business venture, a memoir abou ... More >>

Denny Hecker sentenced [UPDATE]

Hecker's going to prison.​There was a time when Denny Hecker ruled a kingdom of almost 30 auto dealerships, wheeling and dealing his way to a life flush with mansions and luxury travel. He collected Rolexes, jewelry, boats, motorcycles - all manner of expensive toys. Those days are over. He w ... More >>

Steven Leach, Denny Hecker crony, headed to prison

Hecker is scheduled for sentencing on Friday.​Steven Leach conspired with disgraced auto mogul Denny Hecker to hoodwink Chrysler Financial into multimillion dollar finance packages. Now he's going to federal prison for two years, and he's been ordered to pay $14 million in restitution. And th ... More >>

Denny Hecker's drug problem won't help his prison problem, says law expert

Hecker fesses up to drug use.​Denny Hecker's sentencing is just around the corner, and the fallen auto king is making an 11th-hour plea for a little mercy. Hecker's lawyers filed a motion yesterday asking a judge to shave two years off the recommended sentence of a decade in prison. Hecker fesses ... More >>

Denny Hecker's watches fetch $294,500 at auction

Soon to be marking time in prison.​Denny Hecker wasn't born rich, but, with apologies to F. Scott Fitzgerald, he's still different from most folks. His watches alone have fetched $294,500 at a bankruptcy auction. A diamond-festooned Rolex "Datejust," brought in $24,100, the PiPress reported. ... More >>

Denny Hecker bought his own Harley Davidson at bankruptcy auction

Denny Hecker, foiled again.​It's good to know that when push comes to shove, bankrupt auto failure Denny Hecker has a firm grasp on what's really important in life. Like his Harley Davidson.

Denny Hecker and Christi Rowan's supposed wedding crashed by U.S. Marshals

Nice day for a white collar crime wedding.​Talk about your modern romance. Yesterday, Denny Hecker had a meeting with his lawyers at the U.S. Attorney's offices in Minneapolis, when there was a knock on the door. It was Rev. Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, the pastor who has been helping Hecker ... More >>

Denny Hecker jailed again for fumbling financials [UPDATE]

Denny Hecker is back behind bars.​Bankrupt auto dealer Denny Hecker has been booked into the Sherburne County jail, and treated to a new mug shot. That's not what he expected out of a routine federal court hearing yesterday, and today he got more bad news: He may stay behind bars until his se ... More >>

Denny Hecker lot makes way for transit center so "nobody walks"

"Nobody Walks," thanks to the bus.​Denny Hecker used to pitch his car business with ads on buses that declared, "Nobody Walks." Now we're going to hear "all aboard" the bus from what used to be one of Hecker's deserted dealerships.

Denny Hecker wants Christi Rowan for wife No. 5

Denny Hecker wants to get married.​Denny Hecker's probably got a long "to-do" list before he's carted off to prison on federal bankruptcy and wire fraud convictions. Top of the list: Get married. For the fifth time. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, things should work out fine for Hecke ... More >>

Denny Hecker pleads guilty

Denny Hecker pleads guilty​This is how the Denny Hecker saga ends: Not with a bang, but with a whimper. He's reached a plea deal in federal court in which he cops to just one count each of bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy.

Denny Hecker accused of concealing $150,000

Hecker's dim future just got a little dimmer.​One would think that if you were already neck deep in a legal shitstorm -- say, facing more than enough fraud charges to keep you in federal prison for the rest of your life -- you'd cool your heels for a while. At least chill until the trial is ... More >>

For Denny Hecker, Elvis has left the building

Elvis Presley, one for the money​Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building: Bankrupt auto magnate Denny Hecker's 6-foot-tall Elvis Presley statue is headed to TCF Bank as part of a $70,000 deal for the furnishings of Hecker's Crosslake vacation compound.

Denny Hecker accused of stealing ex-wife's mail

Another day, another steaming pile.​Denny Hecker just can't seem to avoid stepping in legal shit-piles. Seems like everyday we pick up the newspaper, the guy is neck deep in the stuff. Like that whole wire fraud indictment earlier this year. Or that time he was hauled off to jail for ignoring ... More >>

Denny Hecker's Caddy golf cart goes on the block

Not a golf cart designed to "blend in"​Oh sure, Denny Hecker had some swank speed boats. The Harley collection is impressive. So is the assortment of SUVs, ATVs, snowmobiles and dirt bikes. But what really caught our eye on the Fred R. Raddle and Sons website for the Hecker bankruptcy auction ... More >>

Denny Hecker and Tamitha do face time without drama

What, she didn't love me?​Bitter doesn't even begin to describe the divorce battle waged between disgraced auto dealer mogul Denny Hecker and his fourth wife, Tamitha. Here's a woman who counted out $276,000 in cash from a safety deposit box to prove to a judge that she was getting screwed ou ... More >>

Christi Rowan will likely testify against Denny Hecker

​Failed auto dealer Denny Hecker's girlfriend, Christi Rowan, pleaded guilty to bankruptcy and fraud charges Tuesday afternoon in federal court. She admitted she lied under oath in Hecker's $767 million bankruptcy case about earning more than $150,000 a year. She also admitted lying about he ... More >>

Denny Hecker's home won't be overrun by U.S. Marshals

​For a while this morning it looked as though we might be treated to the sight of U.S. Marshals making a forced entry on Denny Hecker's mansion in the western suburbs; a judge had approved the request to use force from the trustee in Hecker's bankruptcy proceedings. Nix that. Fox 9 is reporti ... More >>

Christi Rowan may hear from U.S. Marshals

​Denny Hecker's girlfriend, Christi Rowan, has evidently been making life hard for the court-appointeed trustee in his $767 million bankruptcy case. Court documents say she's not allowing the trustee's lawyer and an auctioneer into the couple's Medina estate. They're looking for furniture, a ... More >>

Denny Hecker gets a public defender in fraud case

​Who didn't see this one coming a mile off? Failed auto dealer magnate Denny Hecker's lawyers have been playing musical chairs for a while now, alternately abandoning him and rejoining his cause as his bank account ebbed and flowed. Today, the music stopped and Bill Mauzy walked away for goo ... More >>

Christi Rowan steps in legal poop

​Denny Hecker's girlfriend learned the other day that she gets to keep the $30,000 pet dog he gave her as a gift. But on Friday, she found herself in legal doodoo: She's accused of helping Hecker hide his assets. Charged with bankruptcy and bank fraud in federal court, she could face years in ... More >>

Denny Hecker hauled off to jail after hearing

​It was only this morning that Star Tribune readers were treated to a story about how bankrupt auto kingpin Denny Hecker was suddenly sounding a lot more remorseful about the wreckage he left in the wake of his failed business dealings and personal life. What a difference a few hours make. He ... More >>

Denny Hecker mugshot

Denny Hecker's mug: Oh how the mighty have fallen​The man who made the slogan "nobody walks" famous did a perp walk today, with a quick stop-over to snap this mug shot. Stare into the visage of a man who has lost everything, who has seen his auto empire evaporate and his public name vilified. Lo ... More >>

Denny Hecker and Steve Leach plead not guilty to new round of fraud charges

If convicted, Hecker and Leach face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Denny Hecker stole from his kids to pay for mansion during bankruptcy

Hecker raided his children's trust funds with the help of his former in-law.

Denny Hecker trainwreck update: Faces jail over owed alimony

Hecker has until the end of the month to come up with the $8,200 he owes his ex-wife.

Denny Hecker catches break: Friends raising cash to keep defense lawyer Bill Mauzy

Some of the bankrupt autodealer's friends have rallied to his sie and ponied up the cash necessary to keep at least one of his criminal defense attorneys on the job.

Patrick Thornton's strange Costco encounter with Denny Hecker

The Finance and Commerce writer said, "It was probably best I kept my mouth shut and moved along. Who knows what I would have said?"

William Prohofsky left clues the day he killed himself about his Denny Hecker ties

A note, and a laptop computer and briefcase in Prohofsky's car, may spell more bad news for Hecker.

Denny Hecker faces 18 new federal counts in alleged conspiracy and fraud

A federal grand jury makes life even more complicated for the fallen auto sales magnate.

Denny Hecker 'lied to me,' judge says; 'unf-ingbelievable' Hecker replies

The judge had ruled that Hecker wasn't going to get away with not having to make good on $85 million he owes Chrysler Financial.

Denny Hecker pleads not guilty of defrauding Chrysler for $10 million

He's been ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device around his ankle and to give up his passport.

Denny Hecker, Steve Leach indicted in scheme to defraud lenders

One more ticket on what now appears to be a never-ending ride of personal and professional ruin.

Denny Hecker rips former wife Tamitha as a "$15-million gold digger"

Judge Jay Quam allows the Heckers to formally go their separate, and bitter ways.

Denny Hecker is ordered to pay his wife $7,500 a month

The former auto dealer's long road through the hell of personal and financial ruin takes another turn.

Hecker, Petters, and Pawlenty: Turkeys of the Year 2009

The dirty dozen we're thankful to see go away.

Hecker's wife wants divorce, $15M, custody of kids

Denny Hecker's wife says their divorce is back on and she's looking for more money out of the split.

Don't miss Hecker's estate sale: Jet skis, snowmobiles, scooters, oh my!

Who really needs seven snowmobiles, five jet skis, and multiple pontoon boats? Someone should have learned how to live in moderation.

Denny Hecker pleads guilty to careless driving

On Dec. 3, Hecker crashed his SUV into a pole near his home in Plymouth.

The view from the bottom: Denny Hecker's used car lot #1

Take a photographic tour of modern day ruin.

Hecker owes $2.6 million in income taxes, IRS says

Bankrupted auto giant Denny Hecker has been circled by his creditors since last year for money owed. Now the Internal Revenue Service is on his tail too for a hefty sum of cash.

Denny Hecker files for personal bankruptcy

The fall of the Denny Hecker empire continues with the latest news that he has now filed for personal bankruptcy as his auto empire in Minnesota crumbles.

Denny Hecker in fair condition after collision with irony

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Denny Hecker closes 6 car lots, lays off employees, apologizes

Six of Hecker's dealerships have closed and three o ... More >>

Denny Hecker troubles make NBC Nightly News

Denny Hecker expected to file bankruptcy

Minnesota auto dealer Denny Hecker is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for several of his businesses as soon as today