James Anthony Kroger, a former professor at Gustavus Adolphus College and licensed attorney, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of wire fraud. The plea was entered before Judge Donovan W. Frank, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“This defendant was a professor and an attorney—someone entrusted to teach and uphold the law. Instead, Kroger betrayed that trust, embezzled more than $670,000, and blew it on a lifestyle of self-indulgence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “In Minnesota, titles and credentials won’t shield you from federal prosecution. If you choose greed over integrity, you will face justice.”
Court documents state that between 2019 and 2021, Kroger embezzled more than $670,000 from Lone Star Municipal Finance Company, LLC—a real estate joint venture where he served as a partner and managed daily operations. He persuaded his business partner to invest about $840,000 for purchasing distressed properties in Texas but instead transferred most of the funds into his personal account under the pretense of company “loans.”
The embezzled money was used for various personal expenses including large cash withdrawals, gold and silver bullion purchases, payments to family members, loan repayments against insurance policies, as well as retail and travel expenditures with companies such as Amazon, eBay, Apple, and Delta.
Kroger’s sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2025.
The FBI led the investigation into the case. The Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program also provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Rebecca E. Kline are prosecuting the case.
