Greene County Businessman Arrested for Tax Evasion and Theft

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GREENEVILLE - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Billy Wayne Wise for tax evasion and theft of property. Revenue special agents and Tennessee Highway Patrol investigators arrested Wise, 56, at his home. Bond was set at $100,000.

On Tuesday, a Greene County Grand Jury indicted Wise on 36 felony counts of tax evasion and one felony count of theft of property over $10,000. The indictments allege Wise failed to remit sales tax due for Bill’s Repair Shop, as required by law.

“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."

If convicted, Wise could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count of sales tax evasion. He could also be sentenced to a maximum of four years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $10,000 for theft.

The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Dan Armstrong’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).

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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 about 87 percent of total state revenue.

During the 2018 fiscal year, it collected $14.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.8 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.

To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.