DAVENPORT, IA - On March 21, 2017, Dennis A. Bjorklund, age 52, from Coralville, Iowa, pled guilty to 11 counts of mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Each count carries a maximum potential penalty of not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims' Fund. Bjorklund also agreed to pay $8,300 in restitution to the victims of these offenses. By June 9, 2017, the parties will advise the court if this matter is ready for sentencing. Bjorklund was indicted in July of 2010, arrested in Colorado on April 16, 2015, and has remained in custody since the date of his arrest.
During the time period of this mail fraud scheme, Bjorklund was an attorney practicing law in Johnson County, Iowa. As part of this scheme, potential criminal clients would contact Bjorklund for legal representation on Iowa state charges of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).
From Aug. 3, 2005, to January 9, 2006, 11 separate individuals entered into an agreement with Bjorklund to represent them in relation to Iowa OWI charges. As part of this representation, each individual met and was directed by Bjorklund to make a voluntary donation of $100 to $500 to "Re-Adapt" under the false pretense this contribution would result in a more favorable resolution of the criminal charges. Bjorklund caused a post office box to be opened in Coralville under the name of Re-Adapt. Additionally, Bjorklund caused a bank account to be opened in Wisconsin in which multiple checks issued to Re-Adapt were subsequently deposited. In 2006, Bjorklund caused checks to be written and drawn on this Wisconsin Re-Adapt bank account payable to entities personally owned and controlled by him.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
Learn more about this release by either calling Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300, or by emailing her at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
