Charles Giammona worked as Provost of Northwest Technical College

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has announced that the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office recently charged Charles Giammona, 60, of Bemidji, with five felony tax crimes.
According to the criminal complaint, Giammona worked as Provost of Northwest Technical College in Bemidji from June 2004 through July 2008 when he was involuntarily terminated as a result of financial misconduct. He is charged with four counts of failing to file income tax returns and one count of presenting false claims to a public body.
The complaint claims Giammona was paid between $90,000 and $103,000 each year between 2004 and 2008 but failed to file state or federal income tax returns for the years 2004 through 2007.
It also states that during his time as Provost, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU) investigated Giammona for misconduct, in which he is accused of using MNSCU funds for personal purposes. During this investigation, Giammona’s alleged tax evasion was discovered.
Each felony is punishable by up to five years in jail, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. Giammona also faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine for the charge of presenting false claims to a public body.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue has a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects an individual or business is violating tax laws, at (651) 297-5195 or 1-800-657-3500. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can also email the department at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. So far this year, citizen tips have resulted in 87 percent of the department’s criminal case referrals.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue is dedicated to enforcing tax laws, collecting no more and no less than taxpayers owe. It takes progressively stricter measures against taxpayers who demonstrate that they will not voluntarily meet their obligations.