Milaca Man Charged With 12 Felony Tax Counts
Summary
The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that Mille Lacs County Attorney's Office charged Richard Otten of Milaca with 12 felony tax counts: six counts of failing to file individual income tax returns and six counts of willfully failing to pay income tax for tax years 2019 through 2024. Mr. Otten allegedly earned taxable income through his business Rick's Drywall Inc. and owes more than $92,000 in income tax, penalties, and interest despite receiving more than 25 letters from the department regarding his tax obligations.
“The complaint alleges that Mr. Otten has a long history of failing to file his income tax returns and has received more than 25 letters from the department about his tax obligation.”
Business owners who receive multiple tax compliance notices — particularly those who have had tax liens filed — should treat enforcement escalation as a serious risk. The complaint references over 25 letters and prior compliance actions as evidence of willfulness, indicating that repeated non-response to department outreach is the conduct pattern that triggered criminal referral here. Entities with unresolved Minnesota tax obligations should engage with the department before the matter escalates to criminal charges.
What changed
Richard Otten was charged with 12 felony counts arising from alleged failures to file individual income tax returns and to pay income tax for six consecutive tax years (2019-2024). The complaint alleges that Otten earned taxable income through Rick's Drywall Inc. yet ignored more than 25 department notices and prior compliance actions including tax liens, resulting in more than $92,000 in unpaid income tax, penalties, and interest.\n\nBusiness owners and individuals with filing or payment obligations who receive department notices should treat compliance actions promptly. The charges demonstrate that sustained non-compliance, particularly where tax liens have been filed and repeated outreach has been ignored, may result in criminal referral. Each count carries a statutory maximum of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine per count.
Penalties
Each tax-related felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Milaca man charged with multiple tax crimes
April 21, 2026
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that the Mille Lacs County Attorney’s Office recently charged Richard Otten, of Milaca, with six felony counts of failing to file individual income tax returns and six felony counts of willfully failing to pay income tax.
The complaint states that Mr. Otten failed to file individual income tax returns or pay income tax for tax years 2019 through 2024 despite earning taxable income through his business, Rick’s Drywall Inc. The complaint alleges that Mr. Otten has a long history of failing to file his income tax returns and has received more than 25 letters from the department about his tax obligation. The complaint states that Mr. Otten knew of his tax filing requirements due to communication with department investigators as well as compliance actions, including tax liens, taken against him. Mr. Otten allegedly owes more than $92,000 in 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. 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.
Get the latest news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook, Instagram, and on X (formerly Twitter) or by signing up for email alerts.
Media Contact Ryan Brown 651-556-6397 ryan.brown@state.mn.us
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Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from MN DOR.
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