The owner of Lutsen Resort repeatedly made jokes about burning the historic resort down before a widespread and devastating fire destroyed its main lodge, according to charges filed this week.

Online court records show 41-year-old Bryce Campbell was arrested in Oakland County, Michigan Wednesday night, charged with arson and insurance fraud.

Campbell, a resident of Canada, purchased Lutsen Resort in 2018 for $6.7 million, and continually shot down rumors of financial instability and accusations he was responsible for the fire in the weeks and months following it.

But Cook County charging documents detail a complex and dire financial situation that plagued Campbell in the months and weeks prior to the fire, with his various businesses owing more than $14 million in near-due and past-due

See Full Page