Eric Rasmussen
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Investigative Reporter @KSTP, lucky dad, hip-hop DJ, baseball fan. News tips: erasmussen@kstp.com
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Articles by Eric Rasmussen
Taxpayers funded their lifestyles, now accused fraudsters are getting free lawyers
The government objected when a defendant in one of the Feeding Our Future fraud cases requested a new court-appointed attorney last year, citing an “irreconcilable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship” with his previous lawyer. But the court still granted Ahmed a new set of free attorneys. Ahmed has since pleaded guilty to money laundering, and his lawyer cited the “government seizure” of his client’s assets as a reason he could not afford to pay for his own defense.
COLUMN: The Rumble on Patton
The biggest fight of my life took place on a cool autumn morning. I was in fourth grade, my brother Joel was in second. Our bus stop was a few blocks from our house, so after saying goodbye to our mom, each day started with a quarter-mile walk. That morning, a frigid breeze attacked us as we descended Nimitz St., then took a left on Hamilton Ave. I assume Mom had offered us jackets. If only we had listened.
Newly released records reveal how Faribault Schools spent $1 million grant from DHS
The Minnesota Department of Human Services paid nearly $1 million to Faribault Public Schools over the last three years through a grant to prevent substance use among that community’s historically underserved minority population. But specific details about how the district actually spent the money from DHS are only being revealed after repeated requests by 5 INVESTIGATES under the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
COLUMN: Local Life Lessons
I’ve taught English at Memorial High School for the past twenty years, and my first task each fall semester is learning the names of my students. This year, that task was slightly easier than ever before—one of the teenagers in my first hour English 12 class is my son. This situation is not as strange as I had anticipated. He’s a smart, charismatic dude. Watching him work with his classmates and participate in the lessons has been a delight.
Congressman predicts feds won’t help pay for $3 billion Blue Line light rail project
Congressman predicts feds won't help pay for $3 billion Blue Line light rail project A final decision on federal funding for the Blue Line Extension could still be more than a year away, but a leading member of Congress from Minnesota is stepping up his calls to kill the controversial light rail project before construction ever begins. “They’re going to put the dollars, the limited dollars that the federal government has, to the best use possible,” Emmer told 5 INVESTIGATES.
Train or bus? New ‘alternative’ study challenges plans for $3 billion Blue Line project
The Metropolitan Council has new orders from the Minnesota Legislature to study an alternative to the Blue Line Extension — an estimated $3.2 billion project to expand light rail service from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park.
Experts predicted Minnesota real estate agents would quit, 5 INVESTIGATES found a different reality
A second-time homebuyer, Semih Ayhan, decided to navigate his latest property search without a real estate agent. It was a decision motivated by his first experience more than a decade ago. “The transparency of that process, I think it’s a problem,” Ayhan said of using an agent.
Feds cancel grant, call out U of M amid new case of professor misconduct allegations
Allegations of research misconduct and “fabricated results” involving an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering has prompted the federal government to cancel a grant worth more than $2 million. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E) cancelled the grant effective last month, according to a letter obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to the U of M.
Security guard takedown exposes questions over $11 million contract with Metro Transit
A violent takedown involving private security guards and a 22-year-old man outside a Metro Transit light rail station in Minneapolis is now the subject of at least one “active investigation” after 5 INVESTIGATES demanded answers about the incident. The video starts with a verbal dispute between guards and the man, Elante Holston.
COLUMN: The Spring Thrash
The onset of spring in western Wisconsin offers much to get excited about. Maple syrup. Sidewalk ice, hollow underneath, that you can stomp through. Light jackets. Asparagus. And for me, the most exciting of all: I get to listen to Soundgarden’s legendary 1994 album Superunknown again. In the early 1990s, when my BMG subscription led to the rapid growth of my CD collection, I quickly learned that some albums are too good to play. Their power must be preserved.
LPL Financial To Acquire Commonwealth for $2.7 Billion
LPL Financial said it would acquire Commonwealth Financial Network, a privately owned wealth management company with approximately 2,900 financial advisors, for $2.7 billion. The deal, expected to close in the second half of the year, is one of LPL’s largest acquisitions and will push LPL’s advisor head count above 30,000. Commonwealth has $285 billion of brokerage and advisory assets. LPL has approximately $1.7 trillion. Read the full article on Barron's
Asset Managers Are Taking on Investors’ Negative View of Annuities
More than nine in 10 asset managers believe that annuity products carry a negative connotation, according to research from Cerulli Associates, including nearly one in five who strongly hold this view. While the “strongly agree” camp declined from 24% to 19%, the negative perspective has nonetheless increased, indicating that more asset managers now recognize the persistence of this stigma.
SEC Marketing Rule Guidance Lightens Burden on Investment Performance
In anticipated amendments to guidance on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) marketing rule, the regulator’s Division of Investment Management has lightened the burden for registered investment advisors when reporting investment performance in marketing materials.
“Just Listen … Really Listen”: Expectations of Youth When Disclosing Mental Health Concerns with Parents
Advanced search Health Communication Latest Articles Submit an article Journal homepage Full Article Figures & data References Citations Metrics Reprints & Permissions Read this article /doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2025.2475561?needAccess=true ABSTRACT Adolescence and emerging adulthood are developmental periods characterized by increased prevalence of mental health (MH) issues.
'She ruined my life': Insider describes paying kickbacks, faking meal counts at Bock's instruction
Insider describes paying kickbacks, faking meal counts at Bock's instruction Jurors on Thursday heard from a man who directly tied Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock to the over $5 million he and his wife stole from the government. As previously reported, Bock and co-defendant Salim Said are accused of using the Federal Child Nutrition Program to defraud the government out of millions of dollars. Mohamed Hussein founded Somali American Faribault Education (SAFE) in 2009.
Climbing out of crisis: Young officers offer hope amid police recruiting shortage
At 24 years old, Bohdan Sokolov has already achieved a goal that many of his fellow college graduates are still reaching for. “I wake up every day, you know, excited to go to work,” Sokolov said. His job as a police officer makes him one of 54 sworn members of the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Sokolov is already earning high praise from his superiors, including Commander Chris Baukol. “He’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Baukol said. “He’s ambitious, he’s a problem solver.
Increased security at Feeding Our Future trial amid witness tampering investigation
One day after allegations of witness tampering in the latest Feeding Our Future trial, that witness for the government testified about what happened in the hallway outside a federal courtroom in Minneapolis. Sharmake Jama described being approached by a man connected to defendant Salim Said, co-owner of Safari Restaurant. Said and Bock are accused of defrauding the government out of millions of Child Nutrition Program funds.
'Unrealistic' meal counts focus of expert testimony at Feeding Our Future trial
Lawyers questioned FBI Special Agent Jared Kary for the second day in a row on Thursday — the fourth day of the trial of Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock and Salim Said, co-owner of Safari Restaurant. Kary testified on Wednesday about the FBI’s video surveillance of Safari Restaurant, saying it did not show evidence of the nearly 6,000 meals the site claimed to be serving every day during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Feeding Our Future site operator, board member testify against Bock in trial
Prosecutors on Tuesday called two witnesses in the trial of Aimee Bock, the founder and former executive director of Feeding Our Future. One woman testified that she paid an associate of Bock $30,000 a month for the nonprofit’s sponsorship in a federal program to provide meals to children during the pandemic. Lul Ali, 58, owned and operated a small Somali restaurant in Faribault that ran a food distribution site under Feeding Our Future.
Refused: New light rail fare citations lack teeth
The presence of unarmed agents in blue uniforms, riding light rail trains in groups of two or three, might be the most visible element of Metro Transit’s sweeping reforms to address safety concerns on its system. A core job of those TRIP agents, named after the Transit Rider Investment Program, is to check fares and issue administrative citations to those who do not pay their $2 fare.
‘A Forty-Year Kiss’: Love of a Lifetime, Three Seats Down
Visit any local tavern, order a drink, sit back, and you’re bound to witness something notable. College friends who haven’t connected in years. A young couple out for their first real date since the baby was born. Eavesdrop long enough and you’ll learn a few details of these strangers’ complicated lives, but a glimpse is the most you can hope for. When the drink's empty, it’s time to go home.
Shedding the Pounds, One Conversation at a Time
Shedding the Pounds, One Conversation at a Time Thursday Jan. 9th, 2025 Mention to anyone that you’re trying to lose weight, then hang on – everyone has suggestions, methods that worked, methods that didn’t work, theories on why it’s so hard, and plenty more. The fact is, if there were an easy answer, we wouldn’t have to talk to about it so much. One Chippewa Valley resident, however, believes he has found a strategy that may help locals struggling with weight loss: more talking.
Appeals court finds DHS violated '48-hour rule' for moving inmates to mental health treatment
The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday issued a ruling that the state Department of Human Services violated a duty to place mentally ill patients in state-operated treatment facilities within 48 hours of a judge’s order for civil commitment. The opinion comes after multiple lawsuits were filed against DHS for failing to transfer patients under civil commitment to state hospitals in a timely manner.
Intercepted Letters to St. Nick: 2024 Edition
Editors’ Note: For almost 15 years, Volume One has sent an intern to the post office in Eau Claire each holiday season to intercept local letters to Santa Claus, which we publish in our holiday issue. This year, to better understand our entire region, we made our intern hop on their bike and visit post offices in our outlying communities. Enjoy! Dear Santa Claus, We’d like a Chik-Fil-A. Sincerely, Osseo Dear Osseo, Of course you want a Chik-Fil-A. Everyone wants a Chik-Fil-A.
Case of public safety manager turned private contractor prompts calls for ‘revolving door’ reform
The case of a former manager at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety who left her state job for a position with a government contractor is spurring new calls for reform at the State Capitol. Just days after leaving her role in state government, Stroud was named the new Director of Public Safety for 1Spatial, a software company receiving taxpayer money to develop Minnesota’s “Next Gen 911” system.
A survivor’s story: Old wounds, new questions about unreturned property
Bob Selbitschka might remember May 20, 1996 more vividly than any other day of his life. He was 17 years old and was getting ready to start a summer job at Valleyfair the next week when he got a late night phone call from his friend, Tabitha Juetten, asking him to come to her home on First Street in Little Falls. Tabitha was 19, pregnant, and fearful that her estranged husband, Robert Juetten, who just got out of jail, might return to the house despite an active order for protection against him.
A predictable tragedy: Hugo woman feared dying at the hands of her son
During a 911 call from the Washington County home of Charlene Wunderlich on the evening of Sept. 16, dispatchers reported hearing a woman saying, “Hurry, I’m gonna die!” It is a charge he denies, but Charlene Wunderlich’s murder is something she predicted years earlier – a revelation found within hundreds of pages of police reports and court records reviewed by 5 INVESTIGATES.
Scrap metal database now available to police investigating thefts of catalytic converters
Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota say they are ready to tap into a new resource meant to help victims of stolen cars and stolen car parts — a centralized database that records sales at scrap yards. The new system launched last month after lawmakers tried finding ways to reduce catalytic converter thefts. As 5 INVESTIGATES previously reported, the state attempted to launch a similar database a decade ago before the Legislature nixed the plan.
'Be careful': Internal messages reveal concern about failure of giant tank at SeaQuest
A spur-of-the-moment visit to SeaQuest in Roseville earlier this month did not last nearly as long as Tiffany Vang expected it to after she and family members paid to enter the aquarium inside the Rosedale Center mall. “It supposedly takes an hour to get through everything but we got [through] in, like, 20 minutes because my niece just felt so uncomfortable,” Vang said.
Metro Transit says crime is down. 1 victim says she wasn’t counted.
Metro Transit says crime is down on light rail trains and buses throughout the Twin Cities. It is a welcome trend for the embattled agency which has struggled to contain widespread drug use, violence and other illegal activity on the system for years. New statistics released on Tuesday suggest crime continues to drop. The agency reports 17.5% fewer crimes in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
COLUMN: Splashing Through the Chippewa Valley
Twice a week during the summer, I stop by Fairfax Pool for open lap swim at 9:30am. By that time swim lessons have already begun; little kids splash in the shallows while older children line the far side of the pool and parents poke at their phones in the lounge chairs under the sunshades. When I arrive there are normally a handful of people already waiting to jump in the crystal-clear water, although fewer than I would expect from a city our size.
Police split over use of 'Digital Dragnet' for tracking your phone
(KSTP) From deadly home invasion robberies to a stolen wallet, law enforcement agencies in the Twin Cities metro area are increasingly using a controversial tool to try to solve cases where physical evidence does not immediately point to a suspect. Now detectives are counting on Google to lead them to the culprits.
High-profile hit-and-run case highlights controversy over Google search warrants
For the family of Cathy Donovan, the long wait for answers has been excruciating. Despite widespread media coverage and a multi-agency investigation of the hit-and-run that killed the Mille Lacs County doctor last November, the case remains wide open. The lack of progress is especially hard on Donovan’s twin sister and fellow doctor, Robin Councilman. “Everytime my cell phone goes off it’s, ‘is it somebody calling me to tell me the person’s been arrested?'” Councilman said.
Minnesota’s 911 manager in Virginia? Investigation prompts calls for change to state remote work policy.
Two emergency managers with the State of Minnesota have left their leadership positions at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) after 5 INVESTIGATES raised questions about a telework agreement that allowed one of them to work full-time from the East Coast. Sandi Stroud quit her six-figure job as Minnesota’s 911 Program Manager last week, eight months after moving to Virginia Beach.
Book Details How JFK’s Road to the White House Came Through Wisconsin
Books Politics History Book Details How JFK’s Road to the White House Came Through Wisconsin Most of the time, Wisconsin is a nice stretch of flyover country, with lots of farmland and plenty of trees, where several million people are content living their lives outside the national spotlight. Occasionally, though, we enjoy the thrill of breaking into the headlines.
Lawmaker wants federal probe of SeaQuest after 5 INVESTIGATES report
A Minnesota member of Congress is calling for a federal investigation of SeaQuest — a chain of aquariums and petting zoos recently accused of animal neglect and putting guests in danger. More guests and more former employees of SeaQuest have since come forward to share their experiences. The company sells hands-on “interactions” with a variety of exotic animals at seven locations found inside shopping malls across the country, including the Rosedale Center in Roseville.
New problem uncovered on notorious ‘pinch point’ for Southwest Light Rail
A new section of light rail tracks is about a foot too close to existing freight tracks in Minneapolis. That discovery is the latest hiccup for the controversial Southwest Light Rail project, which is already years behind schedule and more than $1 billion over budget. The Metropolitan Council recently confirmed the discrepancy to 5 INVESTIGATES after homeowners on West 21st Street raised concerns about construction not following the project’s stated design plans.
5-year-old bitten by fish sparks more scrutiny of SeaQuest
Original Article Posted By: voxpopuli, 2/28/2024 10:54:51 PM New video of a fish biting a 5-year-old boy on the hand at SeaQuest in Roseville is putting more scrutiny on the company, just one day after a nationwide investigation of the controversial chain of interactive aquariums by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and ABC News. (snip) "Their response was that fish can get excited at any time," Fleegel said.
City's fight with unlicensed landlord highlights risks for low income renters
Original Article Posted By: voxpopuli, 2/1/2024 6:09:07 PM When Gabrielle Robertson rented a room at a house near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, she says her only alternative was the street. "It was literally, I didn't have any other option," Robertson said. She says she found the rental on the popular website Craigslist for under $500 a month.
City's fight with unlicensed landlord highlights risks for low income renters
City’s fight with unlicensed landlord highlights risks for low income renters When Gabrielle Robertson rented a room at a house near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, she says her only alternative was the street. “It was literally, I didn’t have any other option,” Robertson said. She says she found the rental on the popular website Craigslist for under $500 a month.
COLUMN: Speedy Recovery
For a healthy guy with a decent amount of common sense, I sure seem to spend a lot of time in hospitals. Last summer, I was relaxing on our patio when one of the yellowjackets that had been innocently hanging around for weeks stung me on my pointer toe. I applied some ice and commenced whining about the pain in hopes of earning some sympathy from my wife. Then I started to grow hot. And itchy. My entire backside erupted in hives. The time for professional help had come.
Video: Passenger fall on light rail at MSP airport spurs calls for more announcements
Video: Passenger fall on light rail at MSP airport spurs calls for more announcements On a small stretch of the Blue Line, two light rail platforms at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport serve as a first and last stop for travelers from around the country and the world. John Lisbeth, 77, was headed home to Florida when he and his family members got on the train at Terminal 2 in July.
Serial shoplifter arrested, then released on $500 bail despite multiple warrants
Serial shoplifter arrested, then released on $500 bail despite multiple warrants Law enforcement is actively looking for a serial shoplifter around the Twin Cities after he was recently released from the Carver County jail on just $500 bail. Angelo Wagner Jr. had warrants in at least three counties when Minneapolis police arrested him on Thanksgiving, just days after Target alone blames Wagner for more than $125,000 in losses, according to police records.
COLUMN: The (Un)Expected Payoff
Everyone who has ever attempted to “become a writer” is familiar with one commandment that outweighs all others: Writers must always be writing. Every time you step away from the keyboard to watch TV, walk the dog, or heaven forbid, take a shower, all the other hopeful writers out there keep banging out new work, improving their craft with every stanza and paragraph. Stop writing even for a moment, and you’ll quickly be left behind.
‘Forever chemicals’ remain in Minnesota, but Pentagon says PFAS are crucial to national security
'Forever chemicals' remain in Minnesota, but Pentagon says PFAs are crucial to national security For several Minnesota families, the “forever chemicals” prevalent in the land and water of more than a dozen east metro communities have earned their title as a ‘four-letter word.’ PFAS – per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances – once made and dumped by 3M, prompted lawsuits as more research linked the synthetic chemicals to greater risks for serious illnesses, including rare cancers.
‘Forever chemicals’ remain in Minnesota, but Pentagon says PFAS are crucial to national security
By Eric Rasmussen & Ricky Campbell | KSTP | December 13, 2023 Read the full article by Eric Rasmussen & Ricky Campbell (KSTP) "For several Minnesota families, the “forever chemicals” prevalent in the land and water of more than a dozen east metro communities have earned their title as a “four-letter word.” PFAS – per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances – once made and dumped by 3M, prompted lawsuits as more research linked the synthetic chemicals to greater risks for serious illnesses, including...
Metro Transit reports safety improvements in update to lawmakers
Ridership is up and crime is down, according to Metro Transit leaders who gave an update to state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. The progress report to the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee comes six months after the Legislature passed new initiatives to address rising crime that has contributed to a public safety crisis on the light rail system. “We’re improving.
Street light outages, copper wire theft problems extend from St. Paul to Minneapolis
Replacing copper wire stolen from light poles in Minneapolis has cost the city $200,000 this year. Data on the city’s website shows more than 300 reports of street light outages are currently “open” and homeowners along West River Parkway, such as Gary Seim, insist the problem is even bigger. “I called 311 probably about two or three weeks ago and they had some limited information,” Seim said.
STOLEN FROM SANTA: Our Annual Peek at St. Nick’s Secret Mailbag
Every holiday season, Volume One sends an intern to break into the post office late one night to intercept a few pieces of correspondence between locals and Santa Claus, which we publish in our holiday supplement. This year, much to our surprise, our intern discovered something even more intriguing: a bag of undelivered historical letters between Chippewa Valley residents and St. Nick! We’ve selected a few of our favorites to share with you here.
Serial shoplifter accused of costing retailers more than $125k arrested on Thanksgiving
Serial shoplifter accused of costing retailers more than $125k arrested on Thanksgiving A man well-known to major Minnesota-based retailers such as Best Buy and Target was arrested on Thanksgiving, according to a police report obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES. But it wasn’t his appetite for expensive electronics that put him on law enforcement’s radar this time. Minneapolis police officers arrested Angelo M. Wagner, Jr. for domestic assault on Thursday morning.
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