An Eden Prairie man has been charged with two felony counts after police say he took more than $75,000 from a beverage company he co-founded, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.
Christian Liam Schenk, 46, is accused of using Crooked Beverage Company’s Square and JPMorgan Chase business accounts for personal spending and, after resigning from the company, transferring $47,950 from a company account on Aug. 3, 2023, the complaint states. The total alleged loss is $75,884.36.
Eden Prairie police began investigating on Nov. 16, 2023, after co-founder Ryan Winkler — identified in the complaint as “R.W.” — reported questionable transactions. According to the complaint, Crooked Beverage Company was based in Eden Prairie and produced hemp-derived THC seltzers.
Winkler, a former state representative, confirmed in a LinkedIn message that he is the “R.W.” named in the filing and said Crooked Beverage “remains an operational business but is no longer based in Eden Prairie.”
According to the complaint, investigators found that Schenk allegedly used company funds for personal purchases, including luxury retail items and household goods, and later transferred tens of thousands of dollars to accounts he controlled. They also allege Schenk fabricated emails in a separate financial dispute to mislead business partners — conduct that investigators said helped him retain their trust before the alleged thefts occurred.
In an interview with police, Schenk said he took the money because he was angry and believed it was owed to him, according to the complaint.
Schenk is charged with felony theft by swindle over $35,000 and felony theft of movable property without consent over $5,000. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years and a $100,000 fine.
Although the case was filed in Hennepin County District Court, the Scott County Attorney’s Office is listed as the prosecuting agency, according to court records. The City of Eden Prairie said the case was referred to Scott County at Hennepin County’s discretion. Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar said his office took the case because the victim, Winkler, ran for Hennepin County Attorney in 2022, creating a potential conflict of interest. Winkler lost in the primary.
Schenk did not respond to a LinkedIn message seeking comment.
Court records show a Hennepin County judge issued a warrant Oct. 22 after Schenk failed to appear for a hearing that day. Bail was set at $5,000.
The warrant was recalled Oct. 30 after a new court date was scheduled for Nov. 14. According to a filing from Schenk’s attorney, the request was made because Schenk never received the original summons or notice of his Oct. 22 appearance.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Oct. 31 to include that the warrant for Schenk’s arrest was recalled after a new court date was scheduled.
