In December 2022, Andrew Grzywinski was accused of making threats against the mayor of St. Paul, Melvin Carter, and that he threatened to shoot up the Maplewood Mall.

Court records showed Grzywinski’s ex-girlfriend contacted police with the information before his arrest.

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In charging documents, the ex-girlfriend told investigators Grzywinski made the threats in text messages.

On Oct. 24, a Ramsey County judge found Grzywinski not guilty of both felony charges.

The judge ruled that the texts were taken out of context and it was clear that Grzywinski was discussing the possibility of making a bid to buy Maplewood Mall with a group of friends and was also considering a run for mayor of St. . Paul.

Grzywinski told 5 EYE WITTNESS NEWS his life was turned upside down as he waited nearly two years to be tried and have his name cleared.

“I lost it because I didn’t know what was going on. I was the most scared of my life because, I mean, it’s crazy that this could happen,” Grzywinski said. “I still feel to this day that my life has never been the same.”

Grzywinski’s attorney, Chuck Ramsay, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that investigators did not thoroughly check his client’s phone, which would have shown the allegations to be false.

“They never went through that. If he did, he would have seen these text messages, pre-existing that day, showing that he was making plans with friends and others to actually bid on the mall and also run for mayor,” Ramsay said.