Minneapolis man pleads guilty to school embezzlement

An ex-Minneapolis charter school director who formerly lived in Shakopee pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling more than $1 million from the American Indian school, according to the Associated Press. Joel Pourier, whose half-million dollar Shakopee home was foreclosed on and sold last year, pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of theft by swindle.
Pourier was accused of writing fraudulent checks and transferring money to bank accounts he controlled. According to the criminal complaint, he spent money from Oh Day Aki/Heart of the Earth school on houses, cars and at strip clubs, while students went without textbooks, supplies and field trips. The
school's charter was eventually revoked.
Pourier, 39, apparently made up his educational credentials and had falsely claimed he was independently wealthy and a member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Pourier and his wife Christine used to rent out a home she owned in Prior Lake. The tenant there in 2008 was told to move out. The property is still listed under Christine's name.