Michael G. Tangredi Indicted on Sales Tax Evasion and Forgery Charges
Monday, March 16, 2009 | 07:26am
NASHVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that resulted in Friday's indictment of Michael G. Tangredi, age 18, chief financial officer for M. Tangredi Restaurants.
A Davidson County Grand Jury indicted Tangredi on charges of trying to defraud the state of Tennessee by presenting a forged check to the Department of Revenue, claiming he had already paid sales tax due when he had not.
Tangredi was charged with one Class D felony count of Presenting a Forged Writing of Value over $1,000 with the intent to defraud in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-14-114 and one Class E felony count of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g) by providing a forged check in the amount of $3,125 representing payment for an August 2006 sales tax return. If convicted, Tangredi could be sentenced to a maximum of four years in the state penitentiary and fined $5,000 for the Class D felony. The Class E felony carries a maximum sentence of two years and a fine of $3,000.
“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."
This case is being pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with the Davidson County 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.
###