Former Cocke County Business Owners Arrested for Tax Evasion and Theft

NEWPORT - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Melvin James Tucker, former manager of the Hideaway, for tax evasion and theft.  Revenue special agents arrested Tucker, 49, with assistance from the Cocke County Sheriff’s office, on Thursday.  Bond was set at $50,000.

On Wednesday, the Cocke County Grand Jury indicted Tucker on nine Class E felony counts of sales tax evasion and one Class D felony count of theft of property over $2,500.

If convicted, Tucker could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count of tax evasion. He could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $5,000 for the theft charge.

“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 David Gerregano said. "This indictment underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney James Dunn’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, as well as the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2018 fiscal year, it collected $14.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.8 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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