Sevier County Residents Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud

SEVIERVILLE  - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigations that led to guilty pleas from Tyler Wade Williams and Wredgie Wayne Williams in Sevier County Tuesday.

Judge James Gass accepted the Williams’ guilty pleas to two counts of tax fraud.  The charges stemmed from underreporting the value of multiple vehicles and boats to pay less tax. The boats and cars were registered at the Sevier County Clerk’s Office in 2019 and 2020. Judge Gass placed the Williams on two years of supervised probation and ordered them to pay restitution to the state.

“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 plea underscores the department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

The department pursued 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 2022 fiscal year, it collected $20.9 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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