DEEP DIVE: Addressing Long-Time Issues of Fraud

Fraud is historically pervasive around the country. This deep dive starts with a case involving Minnesota immigrants in the 1920s, and ends with modern-day legislation and support so the attorney general's office can increase its staff to levels comparable to other states in being able to convict more people of fraud. The office has convicted 350 p

By: Mikki Morrissette

Outlets: Minnesota Women's Press

Published: October 3, 2026

Words: 2,943

Last Updated: 1 week, 5 days ago

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I recently attended a community theater production, largely featuring actors who are actual lawyers and judges, at a Landmark Center history theater production in Saint Paul called “Smooth Criminals.” The real trial for the real fraud cause took place over 50 days at the Landmark Center in 1928, when it was the Federal Court House.

In the 1920s, a Saint Paul con man named Clarence Cochran exploited the loyalty of German immigrants to build a financial …

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