Criminal Trial Underway for Ex-Viking, Business Partner

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt and a business partner will stand trial this week on criminal charges accusing them of stealing from investors.

The government has accused the two of using a real estate scheme to defraud investors. Court documents say the two raised money from investors for Jeffrey Gardner's business, Hennessey Financial, and misrepresented the company's financial circumstances. As Hennessey declined, they say the men then created new companies and drew new loans without disclosing financial problems.

Voigt is charged with bank fraud and falsifying a loan application. Gardner is also charged with mail fraud.

Voigt played for the Vikings from 1970 to 1980.