FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The St. Paul Newman Center in Fargo will received $324,640 stemming from a repair scam.

The Newman Center filed a case in February of 2025 after not receiving services promised to them concerning the repair of a pipe organ in the church.

In 2022, the church hired Philip J. Swarts who according to the Newman Center staged photos and demanded payments totaling $204,640 after there was no repair work on the church organ.

In July of 2025, a Cass County Judge ruled in favor of the St. Paul Newman Center. The church had to hire another organ repair company costing nearly $350,000.