Sevier County Resident Arrested for Tax Evasion

SEVIERVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Larry Bruce Spencer for tax evasion. Revenue special agents arrested Spencer at his residence Tuesday. Bond was set at $5,000.

On October 31, 2017, the Sevier County Grand Jury indicted Spencer on one Class E felony count of tax evasion. The indictment alleges Spencer evaded tax due the Tennessee Department of Revenue by fraudulently registering a boat with the Sevier County Clerk’s Office.

“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 David Gerregano said. "This indictment underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

If convicted of tax evasion, Spencer could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000.

The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Jimmy Dunn’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 2017 fiscal year, it collected $13.9 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.7 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.