Knoxville Businessman Arrested For Interfering With Revenue Officer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - William R. Long, President of Tintmaster, Inc., 1920 Grand Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn., was arrested by agents of the Tennessee Department of Revenue on March 12, 2007, on charges of attempting to interfere with a revenue officer in the performance of her duties. The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation leading to the indictment and arrest of Long, age 32.

Long was indicted by the Knox County grand jury on Feb. 28, 2007, on one count of attempting to corruptly obstruct, delay, hinder, impede or intimidate a Revenue Officer from performing her duties, a Class E Felony in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Sections 67-1-1440(b).

A $1,000 bond was set. If convicted, Long could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000.

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

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

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the department collected $10.3 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.8 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2005-2006 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.