The ex-Minneapolis cop charged with murder in the death of George Floyd has been hit with tax-evasion charges, along with his wife.
Derek Chauvin, 44, and his 45-year-old wife, Kellie, are facing nine counts each of filing fraudulent tax returns or failing to file returns, the Star Tribune reported Wednesday.
The charges include six counts of aiding and abetting taxes or filing fraudulent returns beginning in 2014 and three counts of failing to file tax returns from 2016 through 2018, the outlet said.
The tax charges come as a Washington County judge granted Kellie Chauvin’s request that her pending divorce from the disgraced former cop be sealed due to “constant harassment from the public” in the wake of her husband’s termination in Floyd’s May 25 death.
“The circumstances surrounding respondent’s incarceration has resulted in rage and violence throughout the community directed at both petitioner and respondent,” the court filing states. “Allowing public access of this file will allow further harassment of petitioner and now allow any privacy in this matter.”
Derek Chauvin, who was charged with murder in Floyd’s death last month, remains behind bars on $1.25 million bond pending trial.
Chauvin is seen on viral video of the fatal encounter with his knee pressed to Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes while he pleads for air. Chauvin and three other cops at the scene were fired the following day and face charges in the incident.
Chauvin’s criminal attorney, Eric Nelson, told the Star Tribune that he was not aware of the tax charges.