Two Memphis Business Owners Charged with Theft and Sales Tax Evasion

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Special Investigations Section conducted the investigations that led to the indictments of two unrelated individuals in Shelby County, Robert H. Geerdes, owner of Coloniel Register Service, and John Bradshaw, owner of Just Beepers.

 

“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "These investigations underscore our department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

 

On June 5, 2009, Geerdes, 69, voluntarily surrendered to Shelby County Sheriff Deputies on charges of Theft and Sales Tax Evasion. On June 2, 2009 the Shelby County Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment that included one count of Theft Over $10,000, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-14-103, a Class C felony, and one count of Sales Tax Evasion, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 67-1-1440(g), a Class E felony. The indictment charges that Geerdes failed to file quarterly sales tax returns for his business and failed to remit sales tax collected between Jan. 1, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2004. If convicted, Gerdees could be sentenced to a maximum of six years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $10,000 for the theft charge. The tax evasion charge carries a maximum sentence of two years and a fine of up to $3,000. Bond was set at $10,000.

 

On June 6, 2009, Bradshaw, 54, was arrested on charges of Theft and Sales Tax Evasion by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Fugitive Squad. On June 2, 2009 the Shelby County Grand Jury returned a two-count indictment that included one count of Theft Over $60,000, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 39-14-103, a Class B felony, and one count of Sales Tax Evasion, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 67-1-1440(g), a Class E felony. The indictment charges that between Jan. 1, 2003 and Jan. 31, 2004, Bradshaw knowingly attempted to evade tax due the State of Tennessee. If convicted, Bradshaw could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $25,000 for the theft charge. The tax evasion charge carries a maximum sentence of two years and a fine of up to $3,000. Bond was set at $10,000.

 

These cases were pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General William Gibbons’ 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 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 2007-2008 fiscal year, the department collected $11.2 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2007-2008 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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