Fayette County Businessman Arrested on Charges of Sales Tax Evasion

MEMPHIS - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictments and subsequent arrests of Abdelrahman Amrokbeer (age 50), former owner, and Maher Abu Obeid (age 32), former manager, of the Bull Market located at 17730 Highway 64 in Somerville, Tenn., on charges of sales tax evasion. Both men were arrested by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.

 

On July 26, 2010, Amrokbeer and Obeid were indicted by the Fayette County Grand Jury on one Class E Felony count each for Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(g). The indictments charged Amrokbeer and Obeid with attempting to evade or defeat a tax due between July 1, 2004, through Feb. 28, 2005; and from March 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2005, respectively.

 

“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. "This investigation underscores our department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

 

If convicted, Amrokbeer and Obeid could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000.

 

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with the District Attorney General Mike Dunavant’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 91 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the department collected $10.1 billion in state taxes and fees.  In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of combined local sales tax, local mineral severance tax, and local business related taxes and fees was collected by the department for local governments during the 2009-2010 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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