Sullivan County Resident Arrested for Tax Evasion, Forgery, and Theft

NEWPORT - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Edwin Gerald Kilgore. Revenue agents arrested Kilgore Wednesday at his residence. Bond was set at $5,000.

Last week, a Sullivan County Grand Jury indicted Kilgore on two counts of tax evasion and forgery, and one count of theft. The indictments allege Kilgore falsified information on the form for titling his motor home with the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office. He also failed to pay sales tax due on the registration to the state.

“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 the office of District Attorney Barry Staubus. 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 around 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2019 fiscal year, it collected $15.3 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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