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

BLOUNTVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Richard Daniel Wolfe’s indictment and arrest. Wolfe surrendered to Revenue special agents at the Sullivan County Detention Center on Wednesday. Bond was set at $12,500.

On January 29, 2020, a Sullivan County Grand Jury indicted Wolfe on four counts of tax evasion, four counts of forgery, two counts of theft, and two counts of perjury. The indictments allege Wolfe made false entries when he registered two boats with the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office, forged the signatures of the sellers of each boat, and failed to remit use tax to the Department of Revenue.

“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 Barry Staubus’ 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 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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