Former Manager of H-K-S fuel, Inc. Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion Charges

COVINGTON, Tenn. -The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to today’s guilty plea of Kawaljeet “Sonny” Bains, former manager of H-K-S Fuel, Inc., on six counts of Sales Tax Evasion.

 

Bains (age 36) pleaded guilty to the charges that between May 2006 and Dec. 2007, as manager of H-K-S Fuel, Inc., he filed false and fraudulent sales tax returns and intentionally failed to remit $60,742.15 of collected sales tax. Bains could be sentenced to serve a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined a maximum of $3,000 on each of the six Class E felony counts. Judge Joseph H. Walker set April 16, 2010 as the sentencing date for Bains.

 

“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 Mike Dunavant’s office. Citizens who suspect violations of the Tennessee 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.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.

 

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