Live updates from opening day 

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A St. Cloud man is accused of embezzling more than $350,000 from a historic cemetery. 

North Star Cemetery dates back to the mid 1800s. It's operated by a nonprofit association that is suing its former president. 

The civil complaint alleges Roger Robinson, 66, stole money from the association beginning in 2020, when he took on a supervisory role. 

The complaint says Robinson removed other members as signatories from the association’s bank account, and opened other bank accounts under its name without other members’ knowledge. It says he transferred cemetery funds into personal accounts and a business account for a for-profit company he owns.

The complaint also says Robinson used money from the cemetery’s account for personal expenses including restaurants, retail purchases, gas and hotel stays.

In a court filing in the civil case earlier this month, Robinson's attorney denied the claims. A court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 26.

Robinson was criminally charged in November in Stearns County District Court with one count of felony theft by swindle. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

St. Cloud police began investigating in October 2024, after meeting with a North Star board member who suspected that Robinson was stealing money from the cemetery.

A law firm representing Robinson against the criminal charge declined to comment. 

Minnesota News

Business and Economic News

Crime, Law and Justice

Courts

Greater Minnesota

NewsPartners

Homepage

Kirsti Marohn

Author

A civil complaint alleges that the cemetery association’s former president stole money from the organization from 2020 to 2024 and spent it on personal expenses. He also faces a felony theft charge.

The Stearns County Courts Facility building

Former leader of St. Cloud cemetery accused of embezzling more than $350,000 from nonprofit

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox