Wilson County Businessman Pleads Guilty to Tax Charges

LEBANON, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Sanjaykumar Patel pleading guilty to one charge of theft and one charge of tax evasion. 

This week, Judge Brody Kane accepted Patel’s plea to the charges stemming from his failure to report and remit collected sales tax. Patel was sentenced to eight years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $270,497.03.

“The Department of Revenue strives to promote voluntary compliance of Tennessee’s tax laws by education taxpayers and pursuing criminal sanctions for accountability of fraudulent actors,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “This guilty plea underscores the department’s efforts to ensure fair administration of Tennessee’s tax laws.”

The department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with General Jason Lawson’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 2025 fiscal year, it collected over $21 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $5 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue .

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