Embattled Minneapolis landlord charged with perjury
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A Minneapolis landlord is facing perjury charges for allegedly lying under oath in connection with his tenants' court action against him, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Wednesday.
Tenants of Stephen Frenz had filed a court action against him and a few of his companies several years ago. They alleged all sorts of issues for shoddy conditions inside an apartment building on 14th Avenue South including mold, rodents and heating issues.
The case was filed in Hennepin County District Court in an effort to get Frenz to address their concerns.
Freeman has accused Frenz of lying during that case, specifically about the number of tenants living in the building and allegedly manufacturing evidence about rodent control services.
“This one is really blatant,” Freeman said at a press conference. “[Frenz] not only lied about it in writing, [he] manufactured evidence. Cases like this, we need to assist the courts. This one is very clear cut."
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FOX 9 has reached out to Frenz for comment.
Perjury is a felony level offense. Frenz is not in custody because the warrant was filed by summons. He will make his first court appearance on Feb. 8.