Crime & Safety

Homeless Shelter Theft Paid For Daughter’s Private School: Cops

A Woodbury man has pleaded guilty to identity theft and obtaining unemployment benefits through false representation.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — A Woodbury man has plead guilty to stealing the identity of more than 300 people in the Twin Cities metro, including donors of a downtown Minneapolis homeless shelter.

In April, Washington County charged Hai Jay Phu Vu, 53, with identity theft and obtaining unemployment benefits through false representation.

The identity theft occurred through Vu's former job with House of Charity, a nonprofit organization where he obtained personal information of donors, authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Woodburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sign Up For Patch's Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts in Your Neighborhood

Vu purchased merchandise, applied for credit cards and made unauthorized withdrawals from other people's bank accounts, according to the criminal complaint.

Find out what's happening in Woodburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

He also used the stolen identities to pay for insurance, a Verizon bill and his daughter’s tuition at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, investigators said.

Sentencing for Vu is set for Sept. 17, the Star Tribune reports.

Image via Shutterstock / Areipa.lt

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.