2006 News Releases
For Immediate Release: April 12, 2006
REVENUE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF MURFREESBORO BUSINESS OWNER ON SALES TAX FRAUD CHARGES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Anthony Wayne (Tony) Love, owner of Microdata Services in Murfreesboro, was arrested today at his Murfreesboro residence by agents of the Tennessee Department of Revenue on charges of state sales tax evasion. The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that lead to the indictment and subsequent arrest of Love, 45.
"The Department of Revenue is committed to applying Tennessee's tax laws and policies uniformly to all taxpayers to ensure a level playing field," said Revenue Commissioner Loren L. Chumley. "The department cannot and will not allow people engaged in fraudulent tax activities to have a competitive advantage over honest businesspeople."
Love was indicted by the Rutherford County Grand Jury on 45 counts of sales tax fraud in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440. The indictments state Love willfully attempted to evade or defeat tax due the state of Tennessee by failing to file sales tax returns on behalf of Microdata Services, a sole-proprietorship, during the period February 2000 through June 2004 and that he failed to remit $41,296.89 in sales tax. Bond was set at $10,000. If convicted, Love 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.
These cases are pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with local district attorneys general.
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 collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, the department collected $9.6 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.7 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2004-2005 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.TN.gov/revenue.
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