Former Memphis Business Owner Arrested on Theft Charge

MEMPHIS - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and yesterday’s arrest of John Harris, former owner of Double J Smokehouse and Saloon located at 124 GE Patterson Avenue in Memphis.  Harris, 55, was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Thursday, and he was released on a $10,000 bond.

On December 15, 2022, a Shelby County Grand Jury indicted Harris on a Class B felony count of theft of property over $60,000.  If convicted, Harris could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $25,000 for the theft charge.

“Investigations, such as this one, should warn retailers that failing to properly remit all the sales tax monies they collect is a crime, “said Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano.  “The taxes collected from customers are property of the state and local governments at all times.  Customers have a right to know that the tax they pay will be remitted to the state and used for public good of all Tennesseans.”

The Department pursued this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Steven Mulroy’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 and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws.  The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue.  During the 2022 fiscal year, it collected nearly $20.9 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.

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