Kieran served, proudly, as its corporate vice chairman.

“The public image is flawless,” Yvonne had told us at our first meeting, tapping her pen against a row of spreadsheets.

“But these ledger entries tell a completely different story.” Enormous sums had been funneled out of the charitable reserve into private shell companies tied to various Abernathy real estate ventures.

One transfer exceeded six hundred thousand dollars.

Another had gone to prop up a struggling commercial partnership in downtown Saint Paul.

“Look at these line items,” Yvonne added, shaking her head.