Gibson Gets 33 Months for Tax Dodge & Bogus Bills

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A Minnesota chiropractor is trading his adjustment table for a prison bunk. DONALD GIBSON, 61, of Lindstrom, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison today after being convicted of a decade-long tax evasion scheme and attempting to defraud the U.S. Treasury with a fabricated financial instrument. The sentencing follows a five-day jury trial concluded on December 2, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

According to court documents, GIBSON systematically avoided filing individual income tax returns from 2004 through 2014. He didn’t just *forget* – he actively diverted funds, channeling over $800,000 in business checks through a check-cashing facility. The scheme escalated with the submission of fake money orders and completely bogus financial instruments to the IRS, a brazen attempt to conceal his income and avoid paying what he owed.

The chiropractor further attempted to muddy the waters by establishing Sovereign Christian Mission (SCM), a so-called religious organization. This wasn’t about faith; it was a calculated move to shield his chiropractic income and fund his personal lifestyle. Evidence presented at trial showed GIBSON used SCM funds for everything from groceries and entertainment to car repairs – a clear abuse of the organization’s purported purpose.

The height of GIBSON’s audacity came during IRS audits and the subsequent criminal investigation. He presented a fake financial instrument, claiming it was worth a staggering $300 million, and asserted it had satisfied his tax liabilities. It was a desperate gamble that failed spectacularly, exposing the full extent of his fraud. Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker made the announcement today, highlighting the seriousness of the offenses.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, who meticulously untangled GIBSON’s web of deceit. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Thompson and Trial Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Tax Division secured the conviction and subsequent sentencing. GIBSON will also face two years of supervised release following his prison term.

GIBSON was convicted on five counts of tax evasion and one count of presenting a fictitious obligation. This case serves as a stark reminder that attempting to cheat the system, no matter how elaborate the scheme, will ultimately lead to consequences. For more information on the Tax Division’s enforcement efforts, visit their website. Contact the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota at (612) 664-5600.

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