MN Bistro Owner Accused Of Wrongfully Getting $51K In SNAP Benefits

MOORHEAD, MN — A Moorhead bistro owner is accused of underreporting her income while wrongfully receiving more than $51,000 in SNAP benefits, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

The Clay County Attorney’s Office recently charged Christine Mary Conrad, of Moorhead, with 30 felony counts, including filing false or fraudulent income tax returns, failing to pay income tax, filing false or fraudulent sales tax returns, failing to pay sales and use tax, and wrongfully obtaining assistance.

Conrad owns Reese & Riley’s Olive Oil & Bistro Bar and its parent company, Reasons LLC, according to the complaint cited by state officials.

Investigators said Conrad filed tax returns from 2019 through 2024 showing taxable income ranging from $17,332 to $28,452.

However, banking information and other financial documents showed she made several large purchases during that time that required payments above the income she claimed, according to the complaint.

For example, Conrad’s yearly mortgage payment on her new-construction home was more than $44,000, which was well above the amount of income she reported making, investigators said.

The complaint also alleges Conrad claimed much higher income on loan applications for a vehicle and jet ski. When asked about the loan applications, Conrad allegedly told investigators that the dollar amount people put on loan applications does not mean they make that much, according to the complaint.

State officials said Conrad allegedly owes more than $123,000 in income tax, penalties, and interest.

Investigators also reviewed sales tax filings for Conrad’s business and found she underreported taxable sales and kept more sales tax than what was collected and remitted to the state, according to the complaint. She allegedly owes more than $55,000 in sales tax, penalties, and interest.

During the tax investigation, investigators said they learned Conrad had been receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits since 2019 despite earning income amounts that would have made her ineligible. She wrongfully received more than $51,000 in benefits, according to state officials.

Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Each felony charge of wrongfully obtaining assistance carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.