Derek Chauvin, Ex-Wife Plead Not Guilty to Tax Evasion, Fraud Charges

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By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 8, 2021

Derek Chauvin, Ex-Wife Plead Not Guilty to Tax Evasion, Fraud Charges

Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree murder for the death of George Floyd in May 2020. (Photo Credit: Minnesota Department of Corrections)

In Summary

Derek Chauvin and his ex-wife plead not guilty on several charges involving financial fraud.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is in legal trouble again, making another court appearance to plead not guilty.

This time, Derek Chauvin and his ex-wife Kellie Chauvin made virtual court appearances on Friday, pleading not guilty on several financial fraud charges, KMSP reported. The divorced couple has been charged with nine counts of tax evasion and an array of other crimes, including underreporting their income and failing to pay taxes.

Derek Chauvin appeared virtually from Oak Parks Heights Prison, where he is serving a 22.5-year sentence for the murder of George Floyd. He is also awaiting the start of a federal trial on charges for violating Floyd’s civil rights and a separate case from 2017 involving his unreasonable use of force on a then 14-year-old.

Kellie appeared virtually from an undisclosed location. The cases for the pair are being handled separately, KMSP reported. According to the Associated Press, Kellie Chauvin filed for divorce from Chauvin on May 31, days after her husband was charged for Floyd’s murder. The couple’s divorce settlement was initially rejected by Washington County District Judge Juanita Freeman because it would transfer most of the couple’s assets to Kellie Chauvin. Freeman said the transfer of most of the assets would be a “badge of fraud.”

The first settlement would have given Kellie Chauvin all equity for the couple’s homes, money in their bank and investment accounts and money from Derek Chauvin’s pension and retirement accounts. The details of the finalized settlement were not made available.

The couple’s divorce was final in February 2021, months before Chauvin was convicted and sentenced. They are due back in court for pre-trial hearings on January 21, 2022.

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