Filmmaker convicted of fraud by Polk County jury

A Polk County jury convicted a Nebraska filmmaker accused of faking a purchase agreement to get state tax credits of first-degree fraud, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office announced Friday.

Dennis Brouse, 64, could face up to 10 years in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 23. Brouse owned Changing Horses Productions, a company that received $9 million in tax credits from the scandal-ridden Iowa Film Office. Brouse starred in the company’s main series, “Saddle Up With Dennis Brouse.”

Prosecutors claim Brouse bought a 38-foot camper trailer from an elderly couple, Wayne and Shirley Weese, for $10,500 in cash. But prosecutors charged that Brouse claimed the trailer cost twice that much in a statement for tax credits that he turned in to the state. The case went to trial this week, though Assistant Attorney General Robert Sand asked for a delay.

A jury first convicted Brouse of fraud in March 2012, but the Iowa Court of Appeals gave him a new trial due to confusing jury instructions. The original jury acquitted Brouse on charges of first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct.

Defense attorney Angela Campbell said she’ll appeal the jury’s verdict after the March sentencing hearing. Campbell declined to discuss what sentence she’ll argue is appropriate for Brouse.

Brouse remains free ahead of his sentencing.