Claudia Gutierrez Mendez of South St. Paul was charged* on May 7 with five counts of filing a false or fraudulent tax return, one count of failure to file a tax return (willful evasion) and four counts of failure to pay taxes (willful evasion), announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena. All charges are felony level offenses.
Ms. Gutierrez Mendez owns and operates the Hamburguesas El Gordo restaurants with locations in Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators from the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MNDOR) found during tax periods of March 2018–November 2022, Ms. Gutierrez Mendez filed sales tax returns that underrepresented the sales conducted and sales tax owed by the business. MNDOR further determined from December 2022–February 2023, the business owner did not file any tax returns despite conducting business as usual and collecting taxes from customers.
An audit determined the total estimated outstanding sales tax obligation is more than $260,000.
“I appreciate the partnership and thorough investigation completed by the Minnesota Department of Revenue," said County Attorney Kathy Keena.
Ms. Gutierrez Mendez's next court appearance is scheduled for June 18 at 9 a.m. in Hastings.
A summary of the facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaint at Criminal Complaint Search.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.