Jefferson County Businessman Surrenders on Tax Fraud Charges
Thursday, January 08, 2009 | 12:51pm
DANDRIDGE, Tenn.– The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and surrender of Ricky Darrell Ballinger on tax evasion charges.
Ballinger, age 52, surrendered to revenue agents yesterday at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Justice Center.
On Jan. 6, 2009, the Jefferson County Grand Jury returned true bills for two Class E felony counts of Tax Fraud in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 67-1-1440(g). The indictments charge Ballinger with reporting false vehicle registration information to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in order to intentionally evade paying use tax totaling $3,636 on his purchase of two vehicles on January 30, 2006 and April 5, 2006, respectively.
“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "This investigation underscores our department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."
Bond was set at $2,500. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000 for each Class E felony count. Additionally, civil taxes, penalties and interest will be due the state.
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn’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.
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