Former University Employee Charged With Swindling
A former director at the North Central Research and Outreach Center faces felony and misdemeanor theft charges.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Authorities have charged former University of Minnesota employee Daniel Mark Braaten with theft by swindling. The 48-year-old allegedly used university credit cards and checks for personal gain.
Why it matters
The charges follow an internal review by the university, which discovered the alleged financial irregularities. The case highlights institutional efforts to identify and address misuse of school funds.
Daniel Mark Braaten, 48, faces one felony and one gross misdemeanor count of theft by swindling. Charges were filed in Itasca County on October 13, 2026, following the university's internal investigation.
The players
Daniel Mark Braaten
He is a former Director of Operations at the North Central Research and Outreach Center who faces criminal theft charges.
University of Minnesota
This is a public research university that identified the financial irregularities through its internal policies and procedures.
The details
Braaten served as the Director of Operations at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids. Prosecutors allege that he utilized university-issued credit cards and checks to cover personal expenditures before his termination.
Timeline
January 2025: The university placed the employee on leave.
February 2025: The university terminated the employee.
October 13, 2026: Theft by swindling charges were filed against the defendant.
Legal Context
This case follows the standard prosecution patterns established under the Minnesota statutes governing theft by swindling. Such charges are frequently used in the state to address the misuse of organizational funds by employees in positions of trust.
The charges clarify that internal university oversight mechanisms are active in protecting institutional resources in the Grand Rapids community. Residents can monitor public court records for updates on the legal proceedings.
The takeaway
Organizations often use internal audits to safeguard their financial operations against unauthorized personal spending. Individuals in management roles should ensure all expenditures strictly align with institutional policy guidelines.
Further reading
For additional context on local enforcement, see the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox21Online.
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