Knoxville Businessman Pleads Guilty for Obstruction of a Revenue Officer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment, arrest and guilty plea of William Robert Long of Knoxville, Tenn. Long, president of Tintmaster, Inc., located at 1920 Grand Avenue in Knoxville, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of a Revenue Officer, a Class E Felony, in Knox County Criminal Court yesterday. He will return to court on May 22 for the sentencing hearing.

Long, age 33, was indicted by the Knox County grand jury on Feb. 28, 2007, on one count of attempting to corruptly obstruct, delay, hinder, impede or intimidate a Revenue Officer from performing their duties, a Class E Felony in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(b).

“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. “We cannot and will not allow people to threaten or intimidate departmental staff in the performance of their duties.”

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with Knox County District Attorney General Randall E. Nichols. Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee’s revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).