Ex-auto mogul Hecker accused of bail violations

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.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to send former Twin Cities auto mogul Denny Hecker to jail.

Hecker has been free on bail, awaiting trial on 24 counts of fraud. But prosecutors charge Hecker has violated terms of his bail by hiding more than $150,000 in insurance company payments. They also say Hecker told a car leasing company he earns an average of $10,000 a month.

Prosecutors claim Hecker didn't report the money to the trustee overseeing his bankrupty or the federal district court, as required.

Brian Toder is Hecker's court-appointed attorney. He took over Hecker's defense after claimed he couldn't afford to pay for a lawyer. Toder said Hecker is headed to jail if a judge believes the government.

"A lot of this stuff is amorphous," Toder said. "If people loan him money, and Denny's got a lot of good friends who loan him money, is that income, probably not. Is that an asset, probably not."

A hearing on the request to jail Hecker will be held next Wednesday in Minneapolis. Hecker remains free until then.

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