ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Martin County Attorney’s Office recently charged Brandon Lee Greiner, of Fairmont, with three felony counts of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns and three felony counts of filing false or fraudulent individual income tax returns. 

According to the complaint, Mr. Greiner is the son of Vickie Kay Greiner who was charged in October 2023 for failing to claim nearly $350,000 in stolen money from her employer on her individual income tax returns, as required by law. The complaint alleges that Ms. Greiner also unlawfully transferred over $268,000 from this employer to her son between August 2021 and October 2022. 

Revenue investigators found that Mr. Greiner and his wife allegedly failed to claim income from one of their employers on their 2020 income tax return, failed to claim the income from the unlawful transfer as well as two of Mr. Greiner’s three employers on their 2021 tax return, and failed to claim the income from the unlawful transfer on their 2022 income tax return. The complaint states that by failing to claim this additional income on their tax return, the Greiners evaded paying taxes that were due and filed fraudulent tax returns in violation of Minnesota tax laws.

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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