Charges: Dog Rescue Nonprofit Owner Skimmed $300,000 Off Taxable Income For Travel, Video Games

By WCCO Staff, CBS Minnesota

September 20, 2023

BRAINERD, Minn. — A Pequot Lakes couple is charged with several felonies for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns and not paying their share of income tax.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue says the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office has charged Shannon Steele and Russel Steele with five felony counts. They're accused of filing fraudulent income tax returns between 2017 and 2021.

According to the criminal complaint, Shannon Steele allegedly withdrew thousands between those five years from bank accounts connected to her dog rescue nonprofit, Northern Lakes Rescue. She's accused of using those funds to buy airplane tickets, appliances, groceries, jet ski rentals, and video games.

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