Baxter Man Faces Tax Violations

The Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office recently charged 44-year-old Brainerd business owner Ronald William Beattie, Jr. of Baxter, with 26 felony tax violations.

Beattie was charged with one count of failing to turn over state sales tax funds; one count of failing to pay withholding tax collected from his employees’ payroll, six counts of failing to submit individual income tax returns; six counts of failing to file sales tax, employee withholding, and corporate returns; six counts of failing to pay individual income tax; and six counts of failing to pay sales and withholding taxes.

The MN Department of Revenue says the business-related charges stem from Beattie’s operation of two Brainerd businesses—Risky Business Novelties & Videos, Inc., and Ultimate Limo Party Bus, Inc. The period covered by the charges is tax years 2005-2010.

According to the criminal complaint, Beattie never paid state sales tax or filed sales tax returns, though he continued to collect sales tax during that time. It also stated that Beattie owes more than $142,000 in Sales and Use Tax to the state. That doesn’t include penalties and interest.

The complaint said Beattie did not register his other venture—Ultimate Limo Party Bus—for tax purposes, and reported no wages and withholdings for 2009 and 2010 for Ultimate Limo Party Bus.

Each of the charges is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.