Former Viking Voigt Facing Federal Indictment

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt is charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy and fraud in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

The 66-year-old Voigt and another man, 61-year-old Jeffrey Gardner, are accused of using a real estate scheme to defraud investors.

According to the indictment announced Wednesday, between 2005 and 2007 Gardner and Voigt raised money from investors in connection with Gardner's business, Hennessey Financial. Investors were promised returns of between 10 percent and 20 percent annually. But the indictment alleges Gardner, Voigt and others misrepresented Hennessey's financial circumstances to investors.

Voigt faces charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, bank fraud and making false statements.

Attorneys for Voigt and Gardner declined to comment Wednesday. Voigt has denied wrongdoing.

Voigt played for the Vikings from 1970 to 1980.