Mora Family Faces Multiple Tax Violation Charges

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Revenue and Kanabec County Attorney’s Office have filed charges against a Mora family accused of multiple tax violations.

Jeffrey Scott Lien faces five felony counts each of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns and failing to pay income tax. He is also charged with three felony counts each of making retail sales after the revocation of a permit and failing to remit collected sales tax.

Bridget Lien is accused of five felony counts each of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns and failing to pay income tax. She was also hit with three felony counts of failing to remit collected sales tax and one felony count of identity theft.

Jeffrey Lien Jr. is charged with two felony counts each of willfully failing to file individual income tax returns and filing false or fraudulent individual income tax returns.

According to the complaints, Jeffrey and Bridget Lien operated Perfection Auto Glass/Minnesota Auto Glass. The business’ sales tax permit was revoked in 2020 due to unpaid tax debt. Despite this, Jeffrey purportedly continued to operate the business, collecting sales tax from 2020 through 2022, yet failing to turn it over to the state. Jeffrey and Bridget earned sufficient income through the business to necessitate filing income tax returns and paying income tax in Minnesota but neglected to do so for tax years 2018 through 2022.

Additionally, Bridget allegedly funneled business income into their son’s bank account, Jeffrey Lien Jr., from 2019 through 2023 to hide income while the sales tax permit was revoked. Authorities say Jeffrey Lien Jr. had sole control over the account and deposited numerous business checks into it. The state says he earned enough income to require him to file income tax returns and pay income tax in Minnesota. He failed to file for tax years 2019 and 2020 and submitted false returns in 2021 and 2022.

The Liens are said to collectively owe $463,000 in income and sales tax, penalties, interest, and for an unpaid assessed civil audit.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

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