Owner Of Bolivar Bail Bond Company Arrested On Tax And Theft Charges

BOLIVAR - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the arrest of Thomas Earl Allen on tax and theft charges.  Allen, 56, surrendered to authorities at the Hardeman County Jail in Bolivar Tuesday.

Monday, the Hardeman County Grand Jury indicted Allen on 22 Class E felony counts of falsification of bail bond tax returns, one Class E felony count of bail bond tax evasion and one Class C felony count of theft of property over $10,000. The indictments charge that from April 2010 through September 2015, Allen failed to remit bail bond tax collected from bonds written at Statewide Bail Bonding. Bond was set at $25,000.

“Tennessee’s tax structure depends on taxpayers voluntarily complying with the laws,” Revenue Commissioner Richard Roberts said.  “Taxpayers, who collect but intentionally do not remit bail bond tax, breach the public’s trust and violate the criminal laws of the state.  This cause underscores our commitment to rigorous and fair tax administration.”

If convicted, Allen could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count of falsification of bail bond tax returns, a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for bail bond tax evasion.  If convicted of theft of property, Allen could be sentenced to a maximum of six years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $10,000.

The bail bond tax is a $12 tax levied on all bail bonds written in Tennessee.  Bail bond tax revenues help provide legal representation to low-income Tennesseans in civil matters.

The Department pursued these criminal cases in cooperation with District Attorney General Mike Dunavant 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.