2008 News Releases
For Immediate Release: September 23, 2008
FORMER MARION COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER ARRESTED FOR SALES TAX EVASION AND THEFT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Revenue's Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to the arrest of Donnie B. Long, age 54, former owner of Mid South Power Sports, LLC located at 375 Commerce Place in Jasper, Tenn. Officers with the town of Flower Mound, Texas arrested Long after a traffic stop revealed an outstanding Tennessee warrant. Long was extradited back to Tennessee on September 21, 2008, on sales tax evasion charges. Bond was set at $35,000.
On Feb. 4, 2008, the Marion County Grand Jury returned true bills for 21 Class E felony counts of Sales Tax Evasion in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 67-1-1440(g) and one Class C felony count of Theft Over $60,000 in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. 39-14-103. The indictments charge Long with failing to report taxable sales totaling $870,058.69 and failing to remit collected sales tax totaling $68,374.63 from Aug. 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, and May 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006.
"The Department of Revenue is committed to applying Tennessee's tax laws and policies uniformly to all taxpayers to ensure a level playing field," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "The department cannot and will not allow people engaged in fraudulent tax activities to have a competitive advantage over honest businesspeople."
If convicted, Long could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined $3,000 for each Class E felony count. The Class C felony charge carries a maximum of six years in the state penitentiary and a fine of $10,000. Additionally, civil taxes, penalties and interest will be due the state.
This case was pursued criminally by the department with the assistance of District Attorney General Michael Taylor'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 established by the legislature and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department of Revenue collects approximately 92 percent of total state tax revenue. During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, the department collected $11.2 billion in state taxes and fees. In addition to collecting state taxes, $1.9 billion of local sales tax was collected by the department for local governments during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Besides collecting taxes, the department enforces the revenue laws fairly and impartially in an effort to encourage voluntary taxpayer compliance. The department also apportions revenue collections for distribution to the various state funds and local units of government. To learn more about the department, log on to www.TN.gov/revenue.
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