Judge Venne charged with four gross misdemeanors 

Posted: 1:00 am Mon, October 6, 2008
By Barbara L. Jones

The Associated Press and the St. Paul Pioneer Press have reported that Anoka County District Court Judge Donald Venne has been charged with four gross misdemeanors for failing to pay all his taxes from 2003 to 2006.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue reported today that the Dakota County attorney's office filed the charges.

The criminal complaint filed Friday alleges Venne owes the state more than $3,100. It also says the state has had to take action to recover his taxes for the 2002 and 2003 tax years.

His lawyer, Doug Kelley, has said the judge was not trying to avoid paying his taxes, and that the needed tax returns are being prepared.