Kellie Chauvin, Ex-Wife Of Derek, Pleads Guilty To Felony Tax Crimes

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — Kellie Chauvin, the ex-wife of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, pleaded guilty on Thursday to two counts of failing to file taxes in Minnesota.

Under the plea deal, Kellie will not serve prison time but will be out on probation for three years. A restitution payment has not yet been determined. Kellie's formal sentencing hearing is set for May 12.

The Chauvins were each charged with nine counts of tax crimes on June 12, just weeks after Derek was arrested and charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. Both initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, but Kellie changed her plea last week.

The criminal complaint states that the couple failed to file taxes or filed fraudulent tax returns each year from 2014 through 2019 when the two lived in Woodbury and then in Oakdale.

The Chauvins also owned a home in Windermere, Florida since 2011, according to the complaint. However, that does not exempt them from income taxes on their money earned in Minnesota, authorities said.

Following Floyd's death in 2020, Kellie filed for divorce from Derek. Their marriage was officially dissolved on Feb. 2, 2021.

Less than three months later, Derek was convicted of murder in Hennepin County court and sentenced to more than 21 years in prison. He was later convicted and sentenced in federal court for violating Floyd's civil rights.

Derek's tax case in Minnesota is ongoing while serves his prison sentence at a federal facility in Tuscon, Arizona. He is expected to be released in September 2038.