Memphis Business Owner Sentenced on Sales Tax Fraud and Theft Charges
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 | 04:54am
MEMPHIS - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to yesterday’s sentencing of John Bradshaw, owner of Just Beepers located in Memphis, Tenn., on one count of Theft Over $60,000, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 39-14-103, a Class B felony, and one count of Sales Tax Evasion, a violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g), a Class E felony.
Judge James Beasley, Jr., sentenced Bradshaw to eight years in jail. Bradshaw was ordered to serve six months at the Shelby County Correctional Center and the remainder of the sentence was suspended. Bradshaw will be on probation for 10 years. The probation agreement requires Bradshaw to pay full restitution to the state of $138,338.
“The majority of businesses pay appropriate taxes,” said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “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.”
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General William L. Gibbon’s office. 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 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 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department collected $10.2 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 2008-2009 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.
Related news: June 09, 2009: Two Memphis Business Owners Charged with Theft and Sales Tax Evasion (http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/2086).
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