by Sherburne County, Minnesota — A Minnesota man is accused of embezzling nearly $220,000 from a family-run suicide prevention nonprofit created in memory of his late teenage brother-in-law, according to court documents.
Prosecutors allege that Ryan Gary Obermoller, 46, stole funds over a seven-year period while serving as executive director and treasurer of Dylan’s Hope Foundation — an organization founded in 2013 after the suicide of 17-year-old Dylan Aaseby.
Authorities say the nonprofit was established by Aaseby’s grieving parents with a mission to promote open communication between young people and adults in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.
Financial Irregularities Spark Investigation
The alleged scheme came to light in 2024 after administrators questioned reported earnings from the organization’s annual charity golf tournament.
According to a criminal complaint, Obermoller claimed the tournament raised $51,500, even though the nonprofit reported total earnings of only $56,700 for the entire fiscal year.
That discrepancy triggered a closer look at the foundation’s finances. Investigators later discovered that Obermoller had written himself a $22,000 check from the nonprofit’s bank account.
When confronted, authorities allege he admitted to additional unauthorized withdrawals, including one exceeding $40,000.
Investigators estimate that Obermoller embezzled at least $219,173, returning only $30,000 of the funds.
Between 2013 and 2024, the nonprofit reportedly brought in approximately $258,100 in revenue and recorded about $240,030 in expenses, according to publicly available financial data.
Trusted Family Member with Accounting Background
Obermoller is married to Dylan Aaseby’s older sister, Jenny, and had been involved with the foundation since its inception. According to family members, he was entrusted with managing the nonprofit’s finances due to his professional background in accounting.
“He’s taken a tragedy and tried to make it his game,” said Britt Aaseby, Obermoller’s father-in-law.
Britt Aaseby added that the alleged theft has jeopardized the organization’s mission to support suicide prevention efforts among youth.
“[Accounting] is what he did for a living. How could you second-guess that?” he said.
Family members say they remain uncertain about how the allegedly stolen funds were spent.
Jenny Aaseby told reporters that when she asked her estranged husband about the missing money, he claimed he wanted to provide a certain lifestyle for their family.
Read Also: Georgia Woman Dies After Being Mauled by Dogs Inside DeKalb County Home, Investigation Ongoing
“From what he told me, he wanted to give us the life that he wanted us to have. He never has said what he did with it otherwise,” she said.
Criminal Charges Filed
Obermoller was formally charged on Feb. 17 with two felony counts of theft. Court records indicate he is scheduled to return to court on April 8.
Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
The case has deeply impacted the foundation’s leadership, as Jenny Aaseby has stepped in to assume financial oversight responsibilities.
For the Aaseby family, the allegations represent a painful betrayal layered on top of an already devastating loss. The foundation was created in the immediate aftermath of Dylan’s death, with the goal of preventing other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
Now, as legal proceedings move forward, the family says they are determined to continue their mission despite the financial and emotional toll.
What are your thoughts on this case and the responsibilities of nonprofit leaders? Share your perspective in the comments below.
