Crosslake couple charged with multiple tax crimes

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.