Former Memphis Chef and Business Owner Arrested in Texas on Tennessee Tax Evasion Charges
Friday, May 29, 2009 | 04:52am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and subsequent arrest of Wendell Price, Jr., age 41. Price is the former co-owner and chef of Wendell’s World Beat Grill, located at 414 South Main Street in Memphis.
Price was arrested by the Pearland, Texas Police Department on May 20, 2009, after a tip from Crime Stoppers. Police stopped Price after a traffic violation and officers confirmed Price was wanted in Tennessee on theft charges. Price is being held without bond and is awaiting extradition to Tennessee. Price was co-owner of Wendell’s World Beat with Lori L. Miller. Miller, who was also indicted with Price, was arrested on April 5, 2009.
On March 31, 2009, a Shelby County Grand Jury returned a 14-count indictment on Price which included 12 counts of Falsification of Sales Tax Returns in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(d), each a Class E Felony; one count of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g), a Class E felony; and one count of Theft of Property $10,000 - $60,000 in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-14-103, a Class C Felony. The indictments charged that Price filed false and fraudulent sales tax returns with the Tennessee Department of Revenue with the intent to defraud the State of Tennessee.
“Tennessee’s tax structure depends on taxpayers voluntarily complying with the laws,” said Commissioner Reagan Farr. “Taxpayers who collect but intentionally do not remit sales tax breach the public’s trust. This arrest underscores our commitment to collecting all taxes due the state of Tennessee.”
If convicted of the Class E felonies, Price could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count. The Class C felony carries a maximum sentence of six years and fine of $10,000. Once the criminal case concludes, additional civil taxes, penalties and interest will be due the state.
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General William Gibbons’ 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.TN.gov/revenue.
Related news: April 7, 2009 – Shelby County Residents Arrested on Sales Tax Evasion and Theft Charges (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/1225)
###