Former North Star Cemetery President Charged in Alleged Theft

The former president of the nonprofit operating St. Cloud’s historic North Star Cemetery is accused of diverting cemetery funds for his personal use.

Sixty-six-year-old Roger Robinson faces one felony count of theft by swindle in Stearns County District Court.

The criminal complaint alleges Robinson opened undisclosed accounts, used cemetery funds as collateral for loans and spent money from the nonprofit’s primary account on personal expenses. Investigators list the alleged criminal loss at more than $202,000.

A separate civil lawsuit alleges losses exceeding $350,000, including money from customer payments and certificates of deposit intended to support long-term cemetery maintenance.

Robinson’s attorney has denied the allegations in the civil case. The criminal investigation remains ongoing.