2008 News Releases
For Immediate Release: April 4, 2008
KNOXVILLE BUSINESSMAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR OBSTRUCTION OF A REVENUE OFFICER
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment, arrest and guilty plea of William Robert Long of Knoxville, Tenn. Long, president of Tintmaster, Inc., located at 1920 Grand Avenue in Knoxville, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of a Revenue Officer, a Class E Felony, in Knox County Criminal Court yesterday. He will return to court on May 22 for the sentencing hearing.
Long, age 33, was indicted by the Knox County grand jury on Feb. 28, 2007, on one count of attempting to corruptly obstruct, delay, hinder, impede or intimidate a Revenue Officer from performing their duties, a Class E Felony in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-1-1440(b).
"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. "We cannot and will not allow people to threaten or intimidate departmental staff in the performance of their duties."
This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with Knox County District Attorney General Randall E. Nichols. 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 2006-2007 fiscal year, the department collected $11 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 2006-2007 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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