Molestation Charges Dropped Against Wealthy Metro Businessman

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Molestation charges have been dismissed for a wealthy Twin Cities businessman Monday morning.

Almost three years ago, William Wanner was accused of molesting a 10-year-old girl at an exclusive Minneapolis Club. Police said a woman at the Minneapolis Club saw Wanner fondling a girl in the hot tub.

Bill Wanner's attorneys say there was never enough evidence to convict their client of any crime.

Attorney Joe Friedberg says there was a complete lack of any criminal wrongdoing. He says an improper and incomplete investigation on the front end of this case forced the county attorney to file for a dismissal of all charges against Wanner.

Friedberg is upset that prosecutors would file a dismissal document that reiterates all the allegations that the State acknowledges they couldn't prove in court.

After three years, Wanner still insists he did nothing wrong. He says the accusations, the charges and the media attention has wrecked his credibility and he doesn't know how he will get that back.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says the charges were dismissed because the parents and the minor quit cooperating with authorities.

Wanner runs Wanner Engineering in Minneapolis, which is a company that makes high pressure pumps.