Sartell Couple Charged With Multiple Felonies Following Alleged Tax Crimes

(KNSI) — A Sartell couple is charged with multiple tax crimes, allegedly owing more than $50,000.

According to a press release, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Minnesota Department of Revenue after discovering Amanda Kazia Foss was illegally getting welfare benefits by lying and saying she was the sole provider for her three kids. Acting on the tip, Revenue investigators determined that for the tax years of 2019 through 2023, Foss and Orlando Pearome Lam were married and living together but filing separate individual income tax returns while also claiming Head of Household filing status, which is against state law. They also found that the couple filed fraudulent income tax returns falsely claiming unreimbursed employee expenses, overstated charitable contributions, and losses for two businesses that didn’t exist. Foss also stands accused of filing several property tax refund claims using only her income to get bigger refunds.

The two are charged in Stearns County with five felony counts each of filing false or fraudulent individual income tax returns and five felony counts each of failing to pay income tax. Foss is also charged with five felony counts of filing false or fraudulent property tax refund returns.

Lam allegedly owes $27,000 in tax and unearned tax credits. Foss owes more than $25,000.

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

___