Derek Chauvin: Minneapolis police officer fired over George Floyd killing charged with felony tax crimes

Mr Chauvin and his wife owe the government almost $38,000, according to charges

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer currently awaiting trial for his role in the killing of George Floyd, has been charged with felony tax crimes, the Star Tribune reported.

Mr Chauvin, 46, was charged together with his wife, Kellie Chauvin, with nine counts of tax fraud each, according to the report.

For six years the Chauvins underreported their joint income by $464,433. They owe $21,853 in taxes, but a total of $37,868 with interest and penalty fees for late filing and fraud.

There are six counts involving aiding and abetting allegations of false or fraudulent tax returns from 2014 onwards. The other three allege not filing taxes in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Mr Chauvin is currently jailed on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter for his role in the killing of Mr Floyd, whose death sparked nationwide protests for racial justice.

The tax investigation of the couple began well before Mr Chauvin was charged with Mr Floyd's death in late May, according to County Attorney Pete Orput.

Mr Orput described their tax troubles as "run of the mill" — they include registering a BMW sports utility vehicle in Florida, where they have a home and taxes are cheaper, but the vehicle was never there.

A search of the couple's home uncovered tax documents and other financial records. Mr Chauvin's father's house was also searched as he had prepared earlier tax returns on their behalf.

Ms Chauvin was interviewed by investigators, accompanied by an accountant. The missing tax returns were handed over but appeared incomplete or estimated, according to the complaint.

Following her husband's incarceration over the killing of Mr Floyd, Ms Chauvin filed for divorce, but has been in touch with her husband in prison regarding the tax charges.

On Wednesday, a judge in Washington County, Minnesota, ruled that their divorce file be sealed on account of "constant harassment from the public" and fears for the respective parties from a safety standpoint, were their whereabouts to be made public.

The filing said that financial information and Social Security numbers had already been hacked. Attempts had been made to use them to secure large cash advances.

For the charges relating to the killing of George Floyd, whose neck he knelt on for almost nine minutes, Mr Chauvin's bail was set at $1.25m.

His three colleagues who face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter had their bail set at $1m or $750,000 with conditions.

All four officers were fired from Minneapolis Police Department before their arrests.