Cedar Rapids Weather

Clear

Wind: NNE

windmph 13 mph

windchill: 45

More Weather

Click to Watch the Health Care Debate on Capitol Hill, LIVE.

Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Multimedia

Watch The Video

Tools

Iowa AG Files Charges Over Film Tax Credits

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Feb 8, 2010 at 6:48 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2010 at 7:01 PM CDT

DES MOINES (AP) - Criminal charges have been filed against two filmmakers, their companies and the former manager of the Iowa Film Office in connection with the alleged mishandling of tax incentives.

The Iowa attorney general's office filed first-degree theft charges Monday against Wendy Runge, of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Matthias Saunders, of Minneapolis. A charge of nonfelonious misconduct was filed against former film office manager Thomas Wheeler, of Indianola.

Runge is part owner of Polynation Pictures, LLC, and Saunders owns Maximum Productions LLC. They are accused of unlawfully inflating values on applications for tax credits totaling more than $10,000. Runge and Saunders also created The Scientist, LL, as an Iowa company to make a film that would use Iowa film tax credits.

Gov. Chet Culver fired Wheeler last September. He's accused of failing to verify eligibility of applicants for tax credits.

Wheeler's attorney, Gordon Fischer, says the charges against Wheeler aren't supported by facts or state law.

Next article High School Senior Killed in Crash Near Waverly

More Good Stuff

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.