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 from 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 show 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 into the company for purchasing distressed properties in Texas but diverted most of these funds into his personal bank account by claiming they were “loans” from the company.
The investigation found that Kroger used the stolen money for various personal expenses such as large cash withdrawals, buying gold and silver bullion, writing checks to family members, paying off insurance policy loans, and making retail and travel purchases through companies like Amazon, eBay, Apple, Delta Air Lines, among others.
Kroger’s sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2025 before Judge Frank.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry into the case. The Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program also provided assistance during the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Rebecca E. Kline are handling the prosecution.
