Foley Resident Faces Restitution and Probation Sentence Following Guilty Plea to Tax Felonies

(KNSI) — A Foley man has been ordered to pay restitution and placed on probation after pleading guilty to tax-related felonies.

According to the complaint, from January 2018 through May 2022, Grady A. Shearer did not hold a motor vehicle dealer’s license but sold vehicles, outdoor recreation equipment, and other items around the area via social media. The Minnesota Department of Commerce accused Shearer of not collecting or remitting sales tax for the transactions and not filing individual income tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2021.

Shearer owed more than $222,000 in unpaid sales tax, income tax, penalties, and interest.

Shearer was charged with 53 counts of failing to pay or collect and remit sales and use tax and four counts of failing to file individual income tax returns. Each tax-related felony charge carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

As part of the deal, he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to pay or collect and remit sales and use tax and two counts of failing to file individual income tax returns. The rest of the charges were dropped, but Shearer must still pay the $222,000 in penalties and interest within five years. He is also on supervised probation for five years. If he completes the terms, the charges will drop from a felony to a misdemeanor.

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