Sevier County Resident Arrested for Tax Evasion

KNOXVILLE - A Sevier county man has been indicted on one count of tax evasion after an investigation led by the Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. John Wisniewski, 57, was arrested yesterday by Revenue Special Agents at his home. Bond was set at $10,000.

On May 22, 2018, the Knox County Grand Jury indicted Wisniewski on one felony count of tax evasion. The indictment alleges Wisniewski evaded tax due the Tennessee Department of Revenue by fraudulently registering a boat with the Knox 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," said Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano. "This indictment underscores the department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

If convicted, Wisniewski could be sentenced to a maximum of two years and fined up to $3,000.

The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney 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, as well as 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.

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