Sevier County Man Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Fraud

SEVIERVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Tuesday’s guilty plea of Larry Bruce Spencer to one count of sales tax fraud, a Class E Felony.

Judge Rex Henry Ogle accepted Spencer’s guilty plea, placed him on one year unsupervised probation and ordered restitution to the State in the amount of $1,120.

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

The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Jimmy B. 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.

View this news release online. Go to www.tn.gov/revenue.