Davidson County Businessman pleads guilty to Tax Evasion

NASHVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Thursday’s guilty plea of Peter Lewis, managing member of El Rodeo Mercado Latino, for tax evasion.

Davidson County Judge Seth Norman accepted Lewis’ guilty plea to three counts of hindering the enforcement of tax laws. Judge Norman ordered Lewis to pay restitution of $12,635.91. Judge Norman placed Lewis on one year of supervised probation and granted him judicial diversion.

“The Department of Revenue has always been committed to making sure Tennessee’s tax laws and procedures are applied uniformly to ensure fairness,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.  “We can never allow retailers engaged in fraudulent tax activity to have a competitive advantage over honest business people.”

The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Glenn Funk’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 2016 fiscal year, it collected $13.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.6 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.TN.gov/revenue.