NW MN Power Company Sues 2 for Allegedly Stealing Electricity for Crypto Mining

North Star Electric Cooperative, based out of Baudette, says it has pulled the plug on a scheme to steal electricity – hundreds of thousands of dollars of it. The apparent mastermind behind it is a YouTuber who hosts regular segments about how to make extra money.

The allegations are outlined in a 19 page civil suit, where North Star Electric is going after two business owners who were once a couple but recently separated. The lawsuit claims electricity was stolen through a Bitcoin farm set up at a property in Roosevelt.

Multiple attempts to reach the two named in the suit, Ryan Jaenicke and Tina Fehlhaber, were not successful. The Roseau County Attorney’s Office reviewed the case last summer and declined to prosecute, but they say that decision can be readdressed.

This could cost the couple who just broke up a few weeks ago a lot of money. According to Minnesota law, if found liable, they could be forced to pay double the amount of electricity they stole, plus attorney’s fees and any money made off of the crypto mining.