Knox County Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Evasion and Theft Charges

KNOXVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Thursday’s guilty plea of Amy Louise Hurt, formerly known as Amy Louise Shaver.

Hurt, 50, pleaded guilty in a Knox County Criminal Court to four class E felony counts of filing false sales tax returns on behalf of Aries Technology Group, LLC, and one count of theft over $10,000, a Class C felony. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword accepted Hurt’s guilty plea and ordered her to pay $26,626.26 in restitution. A sentencing hearing for Hurt is set for May 12.

“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," Revenue Commissioner Richard Roberts said. "This investigation underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

The Department pursued the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Charme Allen’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 and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2015 fiscal year, it collected $12.6 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.4 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. 

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