Baxter Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion

COOKEVILLE  - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to last week’s guilty plea of Derrick Bush, 35, to one count of sales tax evasion. Putnam County Judge Gary McKenzie accepted Bush’s plea and sentenced him to one year of probation. Bush was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,408.82.

In April 2015, the Putnam County Grand Jury indicted Bush on one count each of sales tax evasion, forgery and perjury related to the registration of a 2006 MasterCraft boat at the Putnam County clerk’s office.

“The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," Revenue Commissioner Richard Roberts said. "This investigation underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Bryant Dunaway and his staff. 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 2015 fiscal year, it collected $12.6 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.4 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.TN.gov/revenue.