Shelby County Business Owners Plead Guilty on Tax Fraud Charges
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 | 03:24am
MEMPHIS, Tenn.– The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment, arrests and subsequent guilty pleas of Odell and Mary G. Tidwell, owners of Sneaky Pete’s Cajun Bar and Grille, on one Class C felony count for Theft of Property Over $10,000 and one Class E felony count of Tax Evasion. Their sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2009.
The indictment issued on October 21, 2008 charged the Tidwells with one count of Theft of Property Over $10,000 and two counts of Tax Evasion, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Sections 39-14-103 and 67-1-1440, respectively. The tax evasion charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in the state penitentiary and a fine of $3,000. The theft count carries a maximum of six years and a $10,000 fine. Additional civil taxes, penalty and interest will be due the state
“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 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.
###