Knox County Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Theft

KNOXVILLE - A Knoxville businesswoman pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of theft over $10,000 (a Class C Felony) and four counts of tax evasion (a Class E Felony). The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Mosamod Halima Aktar’s guilty plea.

Judge Scott Green accepted Aktar’s guilty plea to theft over $10,000 and tax evasion and placed her on five years of supervised probation. Aktar was also ordered to pay restitution to the state in the amount of $26,530.09. Aktar is the president of Discount Tobacco & Grocery, located in Knoxville. A Knox County grand jury previously indicted Aktar on tax evasion and theft.

“Our state’s tax structure depends on voluntary taxpayer compliance to remit money collected from customers,” said Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano. “Taxpayers who fail to remit collected taxes violate the public trust and the criminal laws of Tennessee. This guilty plea highlights our rigorous and impartial administration of the state’s tax laws.”

The Department pursued this 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 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.