Former Davidson County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Evasion
Thursday, July 16, 2009 | 08:43am
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to today’s guilty plea by Norman R. Shue, age 66, former owner of Circa Home Interiors formerly located at 4281 Sidco Drive in Nashville.
Shue pleaded guilty in the Davidson County Criminal Court to three Class E felony counts of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g) with all counts to run concurrently. All other felony counts against him were dismissed. He was sentenced to three years in the state penitentiary with all time suspended to probation. As part of the plea agreement, Shue paid $21,177.73 in restitution to the State of Tennessee for sales tax he collected but intentionally did not remit from June through Dec. 2005.
“The majority of businesses pay appropriate taxes,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “This case serves as a warning to others who think they can get away with tax fraud in Tennessee. We will continue to pursue criminal activity and prosecute tax evaders to maintain fairness in our tax structure for Tennesseans.”
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General Victor S. (Torry) 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 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department collected $10.2 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 2008-2009 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.
Note to media: Photo attached.
Related news: March 31, 2009 – Former Business Owner Charged with Sales Tax Evasion and Theft (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/1158)
July 13, 2009 - Former Williamson County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Evasion (https://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/2229)
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