Founders of Hibbing-based non-profit removed after settlement with Minnesota Attorney General

HIBBING, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has worked to remove George and Georgia Andria from the Borealis Art Guild’s board and bank accounts.

The Attorney General’s Office announced July 23, 2025 they reached separate settlements with both the Borealis Art Guild, and its founders, George and Georgia Andria.

There have been allegations that the nonprofit’s assets were improperly spent to improve a property owned by the founders.

Going forward George and Georgia Andria will be prohibited them from serving as an officer, director, employee, independent contr

Borealis Art Guild Logo

actor, consultant, or representative of the Borealis Art Guild or any other non-profit in Minnesota.

According to a news release from the Attorney General’s Office,  “Borealis assets had been spent to improve a building owned by the Andrias despite those improvements primarily benefiting the Andrias personally, that the nonprofit’s board failed to oversee the Andrias, that Borealis removed directors who asked questions about finances, and that Borealis had not registered with the AGO as required for most nonprofit organizations formed in Minnesota or soliciting funds in Minnesota.”

Borealis, formed in 2015, has a primary charitable purpose to foster and grow the public’s and artists’ interest in art display by operating classes and programs in Hibbing.

In a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office the Andrias agreed among other things to:

• Repay $138,934 to Borealis within 30 days of the date the court approves the assurance between them and the AGO;
• Resign from the board and any other leadership positions with Borealis, if they have not done so already;
• Surrender control over Borealis’ assets and financial and other accounts to the Borealis board of directors; and
• Not form any new nonprofit corporation in Minnesota; act as a director, officer, or other type of representative of any nonprofit corporation; or control, manage, supervise, or oversee any nonprofit’s finances.

In another settlement with Attorney General’s Office, Borealis agrees among other things, to:

• Strictly comply with Minnesota law, including fiduciary-duty obligations, conflict-of-interest requirements, and requirements to register with and annually report to the AGO.
• Ensure that Borealis’ charitable assets are not used for the private benefit of any individual or for-profit organization;
• Ensure the entire board is aware of and has access to all financial accounts, including regular review of account statements and expenses; and
• Ensure that all directors and officers obtain sufficient training to apprise them of their duties under Minnesota law.

The Attorney General’s Office Charities Division has civil enforcement authority under the state’s nonprofit corporation, charitable-solicitation, and charitable-trust laws.