Troubled Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater to Get New Building Owner

Winthrop attorney Devon Holstad was quoted in the StarTribune article, “Troubled Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater to Get New Building Owner.”

A private foundation, The Manitou Fund, has signed a purchase agreement to buy the Zephyr Theatre property after its founding director resigned amid debts and allegations of financial wrongdoing. The theater is also entangled in a federal lawsuit brought by former employee Bil MacLeslie, who alleges racketeering and fraud by board members and former director Calyssa Hall. The suit says Hall created the nonprofit theater to enrich herself and her family.  A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May. MacLeslie’s attorney, Devon Holstad, said that former employees are still owed back pay. Terms of the sale to the Manitou Fund were not provided, and it’s not clear if the nonprofit plans to assist the Zephyr organization beyond the purchase agreement to buy their building.

Read the article here.