St. Paul Accountant John William Rowan Sentenced For $1.2M Embezzlement

ST. PAUL, MINN. — JOHN WILLIAM ROWAN, 65, a former accountant from St. Paul, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his involvement in a long-term embezzlement scheme that siphoned over $1.2 million from the insurance company he worked for more than two decades.

Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Susan R. Nelson on May 5, 2017. ROWAN pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on January 19, 2017.

In a statement, Broker emphasized the severity of embezzlement crimes and their impact on small businesses, asserting that such criminals will be held accountable. “Over the course of nearly two decades, this defendant systematically abused the trust of his employer,” Brooker said.

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman echoed similar sentiments, highlighting ROWAN’s misuse of a position of trust. “Rowan diverted business funds to his own personal use while concealing his fraudulent activity,” he stated. The case was a result of close cooperation between the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and local and federal law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents, ROWAN exploited his role as accountant and controller from October 1995 until July 2015. He issued 150 unauthorized checks to himself, totaling $1,216,218.64. The investigation was led by the FBI, Minnesota Department of Commerce Fraud Bureau, and North St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle E. Jones prosecuted the case. ROWAN was additionally sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,216,218.64 in restitution. For more information and additional news, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Contact: United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota at (612) 664-5600.