Hecker's Girlfriend Gives Exclusive Interview
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- WCCO-TV reported Wednesday that U.S. prosecutors busted up what they believed was an attempt by Denny Hecker and his girlfriend, Christi Rowan, to get married. Rowan broke her silence on Thursday night and talked of her love for the fallen auto mogul and what his life is like behind bars at the Sherburne County Jail.
Prosecutors say Rowan brought her pastor with her and was trying to pull of a wedding at the U.S. Attorney's Office. Hecker was allowed to use the office by court order to go over legal documents to prepare for his sentencing.
Rowan wants everyone to know she and Denny Hecker plan to marry. Rowan said
"Denny is my soul mate," she said. "I have a synergy with him that is beyond words. There are people who search their whole entire lives for just that one -- I got lucky."
Rowan, 37, says she and Hecker, 58, plan to ask Judge Michael Davis, the Judge who threw Hecker in jail, to marry them.
Because Rowan is facing sentencing on fraud charges, she wouldn't say anything about any legal matters, including whether she and Hecker tried to pull of a stealth wedding.
Last spring, Rowan pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud. She says Hecker blames himself .
"He is very guilt-ridden over what's happened to me," she said. "He feels like I'm guilty by association."
She says Hecker is in solitary confinement at the Sherburne County Jail, has lost 30 pounds and finds comfort in God and to his Bible.
Rowan blames a 2008 cancer scare for some of Hecker's legal problems.
"He was scared and he started ... letting other people make decisions for him and he didn't use his gut," she said.
Hecker called Rowan twice during our interview and she asked us not to tape the calls. He calls her up to 10 times a day. Rowan says she has no regrets.
"I really love myself -- a lot -- and that's not going to change," she said.
Rowan is facing eviction from the home she shared with Hecker. The mother of a teenager and a preschooler she faces at least six months in prison. Hecker faces up to 10 years in prison. Rowan says her faith keeps her optimistic about their future together.
"I already know the end of my story," she said. "So, that's all that matters. No fairy tale ever started good."
Sentencing for Denny Hecker and Christi Rowan will take place separately sometime next year.
