ST. PAUL, Minn. — Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has filed a lawsuit against a Minneapolis dance studio and church, accusing their founders of misusing more than $2 million in charitable donations to fund luxury vacations, designer shopping and cash payments to family members.
The lawsuit targets Les Jolies School of Dance, Real Believers Faith Center and their founders Sharon Cook and Larry Cook. Ellison’s office said the couple violated Minnesota nonprofit law by treating charitable assets like personal bank accounts while claiming to serve their communities.
Real Believers Faith Center is a church founded by Larry Cook, and Les Jolies School of Dance is a dance studio founded by Sharon Cook. Both nonprofits operate in Minneapolis…