CROSSLAKE — The Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office charged Bryan Carl Schindel and Polina Yuryevna Donnik Schindel of Crosslake with 10 tax-related felonies each on Thursday, Nov. 20.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced the charges in a news release Tuesday.
The Schindels each face four felony counts of filing false or fraudulent income tax returns and six felony counts of failing to file sales tax returns.
The complaints state that despite receiving more than 65 letters regarding their tax status, the Schindels misrepresented their taxable income on their income tax returns by underreporting or not reporting income from multiple businesses and short-term rental properties for tax years 2019 through 2022.
The Schindels also failed to file sales tax returns for their furniture building business, Timber Creek Productions, and their interior design business, Donnik Design Group LLC, according to the complaints. They allegedly failed to file sales tax returns for the rental payments for their two short-term rental properties located in Crow Wing County.
According to the complaints, the Schindels owe over $98,000 in sales and income tax, penalties and interest.
Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.
The revenue department stated that although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, it takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.
-
And: A rural Orr man was arrested for allegedly shooting a firefighting plane; the Legislature passed a bonding bill; and filings open for public office Tuesday. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEIn their final hours before the session ended, lawmakers passed a county hospital bailout, an infrastructure bill and small cuts to car tab fees and property taxes. -
Contributed/Ellen Schmidt / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for AmericaHere’s what made it into the Legislature's infrastructure package and what lawmakers and others had to say about it May 17, 2026. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's OfficeFirefighters responded to a wildland fire between Orr and Crane Lake on Friday, May 15, 2026. After returning to the airport, it was learned a bullet appeared to have struck one of the planes. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEEvacuated homeowners will be able to return to their properties for the day, Monday, May 18, 2026. Crow Wing County declared a local emergency, the first step toward state disaster aid. -
This is the Up North Lookback, where we’re digging into the local news archives from 50 years ago — the year KAXE was born. It’s the week of May 18.
-
As next steps for a proposed data center are considered, Liz Schwab from Google addresses some of the concerns raised at a recent Hermantown City Council meeting.
-
Contributed/Doug MitchellWildland firefighters are working on containment and mopping up hot spots for a wildfire that began Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2026, southeast of Crosslake. -
Plus: Minnesota partners want you to help track wildlife collisions; and DNR upgrades four fishing piers in Northern Minnesota.
-
Contributed/Screenshot of St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay Facebook pageSt. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said the fire was one of at least a half-dozen blazes in the county as high winds, low humidity and drought conditions persisted.
