Derek Chauvin - the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in George Floyd's death - and his realtor ex-wife have pleaded not guilty to multiple tax evasion charges after underreporting their income by nearly $500,000.
Washington County District Judge Sheridan Hawley also set the cause's next court for January 21 but a trial date has not been set.
Chauvin, 45, appeared via Zoom for the brief hearing from the state's maximum security prison at Oak Park Heights where he's serving a 22.5-year sentence for his conviction in April for second-degree murder in the May 2020 death of Floyd.
A judge entered not guilty pleas on tax evasion charges Friday on behalf of Derek Chauvin (pictured in court on November 1), the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in George Floyd's death, and the officer's realtor ex-wife Kellie Chauvin (right)
The white ex-officer knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes as the black man pleaded that he couldn't breathe.
Sitting in a prison conference room and wearing a white t-shirt, Chauvin said little except 'yes, your honor,' to answer routine questions from the judge.
Kellie Chauvin, who announced she wanted to divorce her then-husband days after Floyd's death, appeared from a different location.
The nine felony tax evasion counts filed in July of 2020 alleged that Derek and Kellie Chauvin underreported their joint income by $464,433 from 2014 through 2019, including more than $95,000 for his off-duty security work.
Chauvin is serving a 22.5-year sentence at Minnesota's maximum security prison at Oak Park Heights where he's serving a 22.5-year sentence in the May 2020 death of George Floyd (pictured). The white ex-officer knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes as the black man pleaded that he couldn't breathe
Kellie was a real estate agent and also operated a photography business. At the time, prosecutors said they owed $37,868 to the state, including unpaid taxes, interest and fees.
Prosecutors have said the tax investigation began before Floyd's death.
Meanwhile, a judge approved the pair's divorce last February under terms that were kept sealed.
That judge reportedly rejected an initial proposed settlement that would have given Kellie most of their property and money - which fueled speculation that the Chauvins were trying to shield their assets.
Chauvin is also facing a separate federal civil rights trial, along with the three other former officers who still face trial in state court with aiding and abetting Chauvin in Floyd's death.
Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to the civil rights charges and is appealing his murder conviction.
Post a Comment