Smithville Resident Sentenced For Tax Evasion

 The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Brandon Tramel’s guilty plea Tuesday to two counts of tax evasion. DeKalb County Judge Gary McKenzie accepted Tramel’s guilty plea and sentenced him to two years’ probation. Tramel was ordered to pay restitution of $5,538.55. On July 24, 2017, the DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Tramel on seven felony counts of tax evasion, seven felony counts of aggravated perjury, and one felony count of theft between $2,500 and $10,000. The indictment alleged Tramel evaded tax due to the state by fraudulently registering two vehicles and five boats with the DeKalb County Clerk’s office.
“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.”
The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway’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).