Filmmakers, ex-Iowa official accused of mishandling tax incentives meant to lure moviemakers

Iowa AG files charges over film tax credits

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa attorney general’s office has accused two filmmakers, their companies and the former manager of the Iowa Film Office of mishandling tax incentives designed to lure moviemakers to the state.

Wendy Runge, of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Matthias Saunders, of Minneapolis, were charged Monday with first-degree theft. Former film office manager Thomas Wheeler faces a misdemeanor misconduct charge.

Runge and Saunders are accused of unlawfully inflating values on applications for tax credits totaling more than $10,000.

Wheeler’s attorney, Gordon Fischer, says the state doesn’t have a valid case against Wheeler. Saunders says he wasn’t aware that charges had been filed against him.

An e-mail sent to Runge’s company was not immediately returned.