ST. PAUL – The owner of Plaza Garibaldi in New Ulm and Redwood Falls and La Terraza in Mankato recently pleaded guilty to five felony counts of assisting in the filing of false or fraudulent sales tax returns.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office announced Juan Manuel Ocampo-Bunola, of New Ulm was sentenced to probation for two years and ordered to pay more than $469,000 in restitution.

Ocampo-Bunola was charged in January 2023 with 29 tax-related felonies. Charges alleged he assisted three different restaurants in under-reported their sales for multiple periods between January 2017 and December 2020.

“This conviction is a culmination of the hard work done by the department’s investigators to get this case charged and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office commitment to ensuring that Mr. Ocampo-Bunola is held accountable for his crimes,” said Melanie Leslie, Criminal Investigations Division Director at the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

“This resolution allows for significant restitution of the taxes owed to the State of Minnesota as part of a local business operation,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi. “We appreciate the partnership with the Department of Revenue’s criminal investigators to bring this complex case forward for prosecution.”

Although most taxpayers comply with tax laws voluntarily, the department takes enforcement action against non-compliant taxpayers to ensure that tax laws are administered fairly.

Many of the department’s criminal case referrals come from public tips. There is a 24-hour tip line for anyone who suspects that a person or business is violating Minnesota tax laws.

Local callers may dial 651-297-5195 or call toll-free by dialing 1-800-657-3500. Tips can also be submitted to the department by email at tax.fraud@state.mn.us. Tipsters may choose to remain anonymous.