Mora family charged with multiple tax crimes 

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Kanabec County Attorney’s Office recently charged Jeffrey Scott Lien, Bridget Ann Lien, and Jeffrey Scott Lien Jr., all of Mora, with multiple tax crimes.

Jeffrey Lien is charged with:

• Five felony counts of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns
• Five felony counts of failing to pay income tax
• Three felony counts of making retail sales after revocation of a permit
• Three felony counts of failing to remit collected sales tax 

Bridget Lien is charged with:

• Five felony counts of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns
• Five felony counts of failing to pay income tax
• Three felony counts of failing to remit collected sales tax 
• One felony count of identity theft

Jeffrey Lien Jr. is charged with:

• Two felony counts of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns
• Two felony counts of filing false or fraudulent individual income tax returns

According to the complaints, Jeffrey and Bridget Lien operated Perfection Auto Glass/Minnesota Auto Glass. The complaints allege that the business’ sales tax permit was revoked in 2020 due to unpaid tax debt. Jeffrey Lien, the complaints state, continued to operate the business and collect sales tax from 2020 through 2022, and failed to send the collected sales tax to the state. The complaints allege that Jeffrey and Bridget Lien earned enough money through the business to be required to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota, but they failed to file income tax returns or pay income tax for tax years 2018 through 2022. 

Furthermore, to hide income earned by the business while the sales tax permit was revoked, Bridget Lien allegedly deposited business income into the bank account of their son, Jeffrey Lien Jr. from 2019 through 2023. The complaints allege that Mr. Lien Jr. had sole authority over the account and deposited multiple checks from the business into it. The complaints state that the amounts deposited into his account required him to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota. However, Mr. Lien Jr. failed to file returns in tax years 2019 and 2020 and filed false returns in 2021 and 2022.

The complaints state that the Liens owe the following:

• Jeffrey Lien and Bridget Lien – Over $68,500 in income and sales tax, penalties, and interest 
• Bridget Lien – Over $381,700 from a previously assessed civil audit 
• Jeffrey Lien Jr. – Over $13,000 in income tax

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.

Many of the department’s criminal case referrals come from public tips. There is a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws. Local callers may dial 651-297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-657-3500. Tips can also be submitted to the department by email at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous. 

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