HomeMy WebLinkAboutOperation Avalanche Press Release
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Hannah Watkins, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9519 • hwatkins@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Police Department Plays Major Role In Operation
Avalanche
Edina, Minn., Nov. 10, 2014 – Edina Retail Crime Investigator Dave Lindman joined the Minnesota
Financial Crimes Task Force in 2007, having no idea that he and his team would make a significant impact in
not only one but two major identity theft operations.
The first operation, named Operation Starburst, began in 2009 when Lindman and a few local officers on the
Task Force discovered that their similar investigations led to something much more significant than they had
expected.
The Task Force took action and discovered “dirty bankers” with the help of a confidential informant. Bankers
were selling account information to criminals and those criminals would then wire the funds to another
account or print counterfeit checks.
“This is true organized crime,” said Lindman of the crime ring.
After almost three years of investigation, kingpin Julian Okeayainneh was sentenced to 27 years in prison for
victimizing over 10,000 people.
Edina Police Department has recently shown to be successful yet again with its major contribution to
Operation Avalanche.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, the U.S. Attorney’s Office held a press conference announcing the indictment of 25
members of a bank fraud conspiracy in which conspirators stole or attempted to steal more than $2 million
by creating counterfeit checks and then cashing them, along with other fraudulent checks at dozens of banks
and other check cashing facilities. This case was part of a long-term investigation by the Minnesota Financial
Crimes Task Force and the Edina Police Department was recognized for its active involvement throughout
the investigation.
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Assistant Superintendent Drew Evans said, “These criminals targeted
Minnesotans, local businesses and financial institutions The Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force, together
with its local and federal partners, worked across jurisdictions to bring the conspiracy to light, identify the
players and bring them to justice.”
Arrest warrants were executed on Oct. 31 in Minnesota, Oregon and North Dakota.
For more information, contact the City’s Police Department at 952-826-1610.
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