Woodbury Couple Faces 6 Felony-Level Tax Charges

ST. PAUL, MN — A Woodbury couple has been charged with felony-level tax crimes, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced Monday.

Brandon Michael Ferguson and Lacey Gene Swartz each face six felony counts of failing to file individual income tax returns. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, officials said in a news release.

The couple failed to file individual income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2021, according to authorities.

They earned income through a business registered under Swartz’s name — Community Blacktop LLC — and other unregistered businesses, investigators said.

"Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly," the Department of Revenue said.