Former Davidson County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Evasion
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 | 09:19am
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to today’s guilty plea by Samir “Sam” Z. Elekaili, age 36, former manager of Glenrose Phillips 66 located at 201 Glenrose Avenue in Nashville.
Elekaili pleaded guilty to one Class E felony count of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g). As part of the plea agreement, Elekaili was required to pay $39,239.69 in restitution to the State of Tennessee for sales tax he collected but intentionally did not remit between April 2004 and June 2005. Elekaili was sentenced to one year in the state penitentiary with all time suspended to probation. All other felony counts against Elekaili were dismissed.
“The Department of Revenue is committed to applying Tennessee’s tax laws and policies uniformly to all taxpayers to ensure a level playing field,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “The department cannot and will not allow people engaged in fraudulent tax activities to have a competitive advantage over honest businesspeople.”
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson’s Office. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee's revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).
The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the department collected $11.2 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.
Note to media: Photo attached.
Related news: May 14, 2008 – Former Davidson County Business Owner Surrenders on Tax Evasion and Theft Charges (http://state.tn.us/revenue/newsreleases/2008/ElakailiSurrender.htm)
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