MADISON COUNTY BUSINESS OWNER ARRESTED
ON SALES TAX AND THEFT CHARGES

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Department of Revenue’s Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and subsequent arrest of Abdulsatta A. Saleh on one count of sales tax evasion and one count of theft of property. On April 29, 2008, Saleh, former owner of Hickory Markets Inc., 1291 N. Highland in Jackson, Tenn., d/b/a Bull Markets #3, #4, #5 and #7 was arrested by deputies of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.  He was arrested at the 935 Hollywood store location in Jackson.

On Oct. 1, 2007, a Madison County Grand Jury indicted Saleh on one Class E felony count of sales tax evasion and one Class D felony count of theft of property of $1,000. According to the indictment, Saleh failed to declare taxable sales of $64,012 and did not remit $3,800 in sales tax collected from Feb. 1, 2005 to May 31, 2005.

“Tennessee’s tax structure depends on taxpayers voluntarily complying with the laws,” said Commissioner Reagan Farr. “Taxpayers who collect but intentionally do not remit sales tax, breach the public’s trust. This conviction underscores our commitment to collecting all taxes due the state of Tennessee.”

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with the Madison County District Attorney General Jerry Woodall’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 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.Tennessee.gov/revenue.

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