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COVINGTON - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Monday’s guilty plea of David Aaron Whaley to felony tax evasion, theft, and false vehicle registration. Whaley is the owner of Whaley’s Auto Repair and Towing, in Covington. Whaley, 38, is scheduled for sentencing on April 29.

NASHVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Serapio Granados pleading guilty to eight counts of tax fraud.

SEVIERVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Wyatt Wrege Bunch, owner of Jayell Ranch in Sevierville. Bunch, 37, surrendered to Revenue special agents at the Sevier County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.

LEXINGTON, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Tamara James pleading guilty Monday to one count of failing to pay sales tax, one count of forgery, and one count of theft over $1,000.

GAINESBORO - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Johnny F. Stafford, Jr., for one count of tax evasion and one count of theft. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department arrested Stafford, 24, yesterday. Bond was set at $3,500.

COVINGTON, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of David Aaron Whaley, owner of Whaley’s Auto Repair and Towing. Today, Whaley, 38, surrendered himself at the Tipton County Jail. Bond was set at $50,000.

LEXINGTON - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Tamara James, 36.

The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Serapio (Jose) Granados, owner of Stonebridge Restaurant and the former Fried Tomato Restaurant, in Fayetteville.

JONESBOROUGH - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Mark Jason Byrd, former owner of Byrd’s Specialty Firearms, for tax evasion, falsification of a tax return, and theft. Byrd, 44, surrendered to Department of Revenue Special Agents at the Washington County Detention Center on Friday. Bond was set at $10,000.

MURFREESBORO - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Kishan Patel pleading guilty to theft, money laundering, and tax fraud.

The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Yawar Sheikh, former owner of Shimla Auto Sales, Inc., for tax evasion and theft.

GREENEVILLE - Jerry Reginald Burkes, former owner of Greeneville tobacco shop Preeminent Skate Specialty, was sentenced last week to 18 years in prison.

KNOXVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to John Wisniewski’s guilty plea to one count of tax evasion. Wisniewski evaded sales and use tax when he registered his 1990 Gibson houseboat with the Knox County Clerk’s Office.

KNOXVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Chris Aeisur Yousif, managing member of Quality Motors, for tax evasion and theft. Yousif, 56, surrendered to Revenue special agents on Tuesday at the Knox County Detention Center. Bond was set at $50,000.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today honored 23 state employees who are helping Tennessee lead by providing outstanding state services every day. The employees, who were nominated by their departments’ leadership for the Governor’s Excellence in Service Awards, were invited to attend a luncheon at the Tennessee Residence for providing efficient and effective service to the state and their fellow Tennesseans. “The employees honored today are on the forefront of improving how Tennessee state government delivers services,” Haslam said. “By exceeding leadership and customer expectations, creating innovative solutions or improving processes and services, these state employees are helping provide taxpayers with the highest quality service at the lowest possible cost.”