Contributed report
The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Wright County Attorney’s Office recently charged Philip Daniel Swafford of Maple Lake with six felony counts of failing to file individual income tax returns and six felony counts of failing to pay income tax.
According to the complaint, Swafford did not file income tax returns or pay income tax for tax years 2018 through 2023. The complaint states that he earned enough money from his business, Mobile 1 Auto Glass, and gambling winnings to be required to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota. The complaint alleges that Swafford admitted to investigators that he knowingly and intentionally did not pay his income tax for at least the last six years. Swafford allegedly owes more than $172,000 in income tax, penalties and interest.
Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 file 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.