After Suspected Arson in Golden Valley, Conservative Group Offers Reward
It’s been nearly two weeks since a fire damaged the offices of several conservative organizations in a Golden Valley office building.
Investigators suspect it may be arson. Now, one of the organizations that was affected is offering a reward.
“We want to do everything that we can to help,” said John Hinderaker, president of Center of the American Experiment, a conservative think tank that had an office on the first floor. “So today, we’re announcing that Center of the American Experiment is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime of arson.”
During a Thursday afternoon news conference, Hinderaker says on Jan. 28, one or possibly two people broke into the building, located at 8421 Wayzata Blvd, and used gasoline to set two fires.
Some of the damage inside the offices of the Upper Midwest Law Center. Photo courtesy of the Upper Midwest Law Center.
One fire on the first floor damaged the office of Center of the American Experiment, and an adjacent suite belonging to TakeCharge Minnesota.
The other fire was set on the third floor, which housed the Upper Midwest Law Center.
Hinderaker says the building did not have a sprinkler system.
“Those two fires did terrible damage to this building,” Hinderaker said. “As you can see, the entire building is shut down, and it’s going to be shut down for a long time to come. Months, maybe a year or more.”
Hinderaker says that Center of the American Experiment has no plans to move back into that building when it reopens. Meanwhile, anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI.
Related: Arson Suspected at Golden Valley Offices of Conservative Think Tanks
