In prison interview, Hecker says he's happier now

Denny Hecker
Denny Hecker talks with media members after pleading not guilty to federal fraud charges at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. Hecker is serving a 10-year prison sentence at a federal facility in Duluth.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Eight weeks into a 10-year federal prison sentence for fraud, former auto dealer Denny Hecker said he's actually happier with his life now.

The man who once ran a billion dollar empire now sweeps steps at the minimum-security Federal Prison Camp in Duluth.

The 58-year-old Hecker told KSTP-TV in an interview at the prison that his once luxurious, but hectic lifestyle is only a memory. He said he doesn't think he really enjoyed some of the things he bought with his money.

Now, following the collapse of his two dozen Twin Cities dealerships and other ventures, Hecker said he has little money but mostly is happier "spirit, mind and body-wise."

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But he said his adjustment to prison has been made more difficult by the fact that his two younger children have not called or written.

Hecker's daily life in the minimum security prison is structured and includes Spanish and piano classes. The prison provides the 900 inmates with a chapel, law library, theater and gym. Hecker said he's strictly monitored in spending the little money he does have. He now takes about two hours to decide how to spend $100, whereas he used to spend $5,000 in a blink of an eye.

"Everybody blames me for their problems. They were a victim of the times."

Hecker got his start selling used cars in Minneapolis decades ago and eventually became one of Minnesota's largest auto dealers. In 2008, he owned 26 dealerships as well as leasing and fleet businesses, a mortgage brokerage business, Advantage Rent A Car, and multiple real estate and restaurant holdings.

A federal indictment accused him and a company executive of giving fraudulent documents to Chrysler Financial in 2007 to obtain $80 million in financing. Chrysler Financial issued the loan and lost more than $10 million.

Hecker filed for bankruptcy in 2009, claiming $787 million in debt and $18.5 million in assets.

When asked whether he hurt people, Hecker said, "That's life. I paid all these people. I didn't owe them anything ... because of circumstances outside of my control, circumstances changed."

He said he doesn't feel bad, the people he did business with had a great opportunity for a long time and his biggest regret is buying Advantage Rent A Car.

"I try not to beat myself up," Hecker said. "I can't change what happened. You're able to forgive yourself for those mistakes and hopefully learn from them and be a better person, not for anybody else but yourself."

When asked whether he thinks people will trust him again, Hecker uttered an expletive and then said, "Everybody blames me for their problems. They were a victim of the times."

Hecker pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud last year. He is scheduled for release in July 2019, but could be out earlier than that on good behavior. When he is out, he said he'll search for an "interesting" opportunity.

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Information from: KSTP-TV

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)