A man trusted to pay a small Minneapolis real estate company’s bills admitted in federal court that he stole more than $1 million from it, including more than $800,000 run through the company credit card. Christopher Erik Septon, of Plymouth, Minnesota, pleaded guilty October 14, 2026, to wire fraud and embezzlement involving his former employer, Ellis Properties. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen’s office announced the plea after U.S. District Judge Laura M. Provinzino accepted it. Sentencing has not been scheduled, and the statutory maximum of 20 years is a ceiling, not a forecast.
A company card that paid the employee
Ellis Properties is a small, family-run commercial real estate business in Minneapolis. Septon was trusted to use company funds to pay vendors, contractors and other third parties, the IRS Criminal Investigation announcement says. Court documents put the scheme at about 2019 to about 2024…