Cleveland man charged with felony tax evasion

William White
William White
photo William White

A 41-year-old Cleveland, Tenn., man has been charged in McMinn County with tax evasion in an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

William Barry White surrendered to an agent with the Special Investigations Section of the state agency on Tuesday and was charged with four counts of tax evasion and booked at the McMinn County Justice Center, according to a statement from the state Department of Revenue.

White's bond was set at $5,000.

The McMinn County Grand Jury indicted White on four felony counts of use tax evasion when he fraudulently registered two aircraft with the state and two automobiles at the McMinn 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."

If convicted, White could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each count, officials said.

The department is pursuing the case in cooperation with 10th Judicial District Attorney Stephen Crump's office.

Anyone who suspects violations of Tennessee's revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hotline at 800-FRAUDTX or 800-372-8389.

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