REVENUE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST OF
DAVIDSON COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER

MARY LISA JORDAN ARRESTED ON SALES TAX EVASION CHARGES

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to today's arrest of Mary Lisa Jordan on sales tax evasion charges. Jordan is the owner of Shooter's Sports Bar & Grill located at 5851 Old Hickory Blvd. in Hermitage, Tenn. On June 22, 2005 , special agents of the Department of Revenue arrested Jordan, 42, at her Lebanon home.

"The majority of businesses pay appropriate taxes," said Revenue Commissioner Loren L. Chumley. "This case serves as a warning to others who think they can get away with tax fraud in Tennessee. We will continue to pursue criminal activity and prosecute tax evaders to maintain fairness in our tax structure for Tennesseans."

Jordan was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury on 38 counts of sales tax fraud. The indictments charged that Jordan knowingly did hamper, hinder, impede, obstruct, or deprive the state of Tennessee in the collection and realization of its lawful revenue by filing false sales tax returns during the period May 1999 through June 2002. The failure to file sales tax returns by Jordan was in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(d).

If convicted, she could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000 for each count. Additionally, civil taxes, penalties and interest will be due the state once the criminal case is concluded.

These cases are pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with local district attorneys general.

Citizens who suspect violations of the Tennessee revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the department collected $9.1 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.6 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

###