Moorhead business owner faces 24-count complaint for tax fraud and failing to pay taxes

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — A Moorhead business owner is accused of tax fraud and failing to pay taxes dating back to 2019.

Clay County Attorney’s Office has brought a 24-count complaint against Christine Conrad.

She is the owner of Reese & Riley’s Olive Oil and Bistro Bar in Moorhead.

Court records show the investigation found Conrad filed false income tax returns by underreporting her actual income and fraudulently received public assistance.

She reported an adjusted gross income from 2019 through 2024 between $17,000 and just over $28,000.

Conrad reported zero state income each year, except in 2020 when she reported $7,102 in state wages.

Investigators reviewed her bank records, mortgage documents, loan applications, financial documents and did a lifestyle analysis by reviewing Conrad’s social media posts going back to 2018.

The posts indicated many services the business offered that were subject to Minnesota sales tax.

They found Conrad had three vehicles, four trailers, one pontoon boat, and three jet skis registered in her name.

The investigation is ongoing.

Clay County Attorney Brian Melton in a statement said, in part, “We appreciate the hard work of the Department of Revenue and look forward to bringing this case to court and ensuring that justice is served.”