Washington County Attorney Pete Orput today announced that Derek Michael Chauvin 44 and Kellie May Chauvin 45, both of Oakdale, have been charged with multiple tax-related felonies. The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Oakdale Police Department.
According to the complaints, Revenue investigators initiated a review into the Chauvins in June 2020 for failure to timely file Minnesota individual income tax returns from 2016 to 2019 and fraudulently filing tax returns from 2014 to 2019. The complaints allege that the Chauvins knew of their obligation to file state income tax returns due to their filings in previous years and from multiple correspondences sent in 2019 by the department regarding their missing 2016 individual income tax return. The complaints detail that the Chauvins, both employed and domiciled in Minnesota, failed to file income tax returns and pay state income taxes, underreported and underpaid taxes on income generated from various employments each year, and failed to pay proper sales tax on a vehicle purchased in Minnesota.
This case is being prosecuted by Scott Haldeman and Imran Ali.
Orput took this opportunity to address the obligation each citizen in Minnesota has to their community. Orput stated, "When you fail to fulfill the basic obligation to file and pay taxes, you are taking money from the pockets of citizens of Minnesota. Our office has and will continue to file these charges when presented. Whether you are a prosecutor or police officer, or you are doctor or a realtor, no one is above the law."
"The vast majority of taxpayers voluntarily comply with Minnesota tax laws," said Department of Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. "However, the department will work with our partners in law enforcement to help ensure that Minnesota’s tax laws are administered fairly and everyone pays the right amount, no more no less."
Further Media Inquiries: Imran Ali, Assistant Criminal Division Chief at 651-430-6144