Former House Leader, Prominent Attorney Among Alleged Victims in Twin Cities THC Beverage Fraud Case

An Eden Prairie entrepreneur who helped launch a Twin Cities THC beverage company alongside former Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler has been charged with stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the business and forging the identity of a well-known attorney, according to Hennepin County court filings.

Christian Liam Schenk, 46, faces felony counts of theft by swindle and theft for allegedly misappropriating approximately $76,000 from Crooked Beverage Company, a hemp-derived THC beverage firm he co-founded with Winkler.

Allegations Detailed in the Criminal Complaint

The criminal complaint outlines a series of transactions prosecutors say Schenk carried out using the company’s financial accounts:

• Personal Purchases Using Business Funds: Investigators allege Schenk used Crooked Beverage’s JPMorgan Chase business account and its Square online sales account to make roughly $7,000 in purchases unrelated to the company. Reported transactions include charges at Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., along with Amazon orders for household goods, clothing, and other personal items.
• $47,950 Withdrawal After Resignation: After co-owners confronted him about questionable purchases, Schenk resigned from the company in July 2023. Weeks later, on August 3, 2023, he allegedly withdrew $47,950 from the company’s bank account, claiming he believed the company owed him the money.
• Fabricated Legal Communications: Prosecutors further allege Schenk created fake emails impersonating prominent Twin Cities attorney Chris Madel. The correspondence was reportedly sent to Winkler and other owners to reassure them that a court order directing garnishment of Schenk’s income — tied to more than $300,000 in unpaid spousal and child support — was being handled through a settlement.
  Madel has publicly confirmed he never represented Schenk in any matter.

The alleged theft, unauthorized withdrawals, and related conduct together account for the approximately $76,000 loss cited by investigators.

Identified Victims

Court documents list three primary victims:

• Crooked Beverage Company, the THC beverage startup allegedly defrauded.
• Ryan Winkler, former Minnesota House Majority Leader and co-founder of the company.
• Chris Madel, the attorney whose identity was allegedly used to create fake legal correspondence.

Winkler, who helped spearhead the state’s legalization of hemp-derived THC products, told reporters that Schenk’s conduct “is a menace.”

Company and Market Context

Crooked Beverage Company entered Minnesota’s newly legalized THC market with a line of hemp-derived THC seltzers and a public emphasis on safety and compliance. The company used child-resistant packaging and created retailer training under the name CrookED to support responsible distribution.

Winkler joined the business after his 2022 run for Hennepin County Attorney, positioning Crooked Beverage as one of the state’s early entrants in the emerging THC beverage sector.

Schenk’s Broader Legal and Financial History

Public court records show that Schenk has accumulated more than $445,000 in civil judgments over the years, stemming from lawsuits brought by landlords, creditors, and business associates. The court-ordered garnishment for unpaid spousal and child support drew additional scrutiny to his finances and helped trigger the company’s review of its accounts.

Next Steps

Schenk’s next court appearance in the fraud case is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
Through a filing submitted by an attorney acting as a “friend of the court,” Schenk has denied the allegations and said he intends to contest the charges.

MinneapoliMedia