Cumberland County Businessman Pleads Guilty to Sales Tax Evasion

Crossville, Tenn. - Vipul Manubhai Patel, 33, owner of JASH Corporation, which is doing business as Tobacco and Beverage Mart in Crossville, pleaded guilty to one felony count of sales tax evasion in Cumberland County Criminal Court on Monday.

Cumberland County Judge David A. Patterson ruled that Patel be placed on one year unsupervised probation and pay $99,774.03 restitution to the state for sales tax owed. The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Patel's plea and sentencing.

"This investigation serves as a reminder that retailers are not entitled to use or keep sales tax monies," said Revenue Commissioner Richard H. Roberts. "Sales tax revenues collected by retailers are never property of the retailer and are always the property of our state and local governments. These taxes must be remitted to the state as required by law."

The department pursued the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Randy York's 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 and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2013 fiscal year, it collected $11.7 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.2 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.TN.gov/revenue.

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