Pikeville store owner pleads guilty to tax evasion

April 12, 2017 at 4:38 p.m. | Updated April 12, 2017 at 4:44 p.m.

by Judy Walton

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2014 file photo, tax form 8962 is seen in Washington. If you haven’t signed up for health insurance this year, you may be getting a nudge from the taxman. The IRS is sending personalized letters to millions of uninsured taxpayers that they’re potentially on the hook for hundreds of dollars in fines. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2014 file photo, tax form 8962 is seen in Washington. If you haven’t signed up for health insurance this year, you may be getting a nudge from the taxman. The IRS is sending personalized letters to millions of uninsured taxpayers that they’re potentially on the hook for hundreds of dollars in fines. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

The owner of Duke's Country Store in Pikeville, Tenn., has pleaded guilty to tax evasion for failing to remit sales taxes, authorities said.

Sybil Marjean Stanley entered a "best interest plea" to the Class E felony, a news release from the state Department of Revenue stated.

Stanley was placed on one year of probation and granted judicial diversion, spokeswoman Kelly Cortesi said in the release.

In a best-interest plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but concedes the charge could likely be proven.

The plea follows Stanley's indictment by the Bledsoe County grand jury.

"Our state's tax structure depends on voluntary taxpayer compliance to remit money collected from customers," Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said in the release. "Taxpayers who fail to remit collected taxes violate the public trust and the criminal laws of Tennessee. This conviction highlights our rigorous and impartial administration of the state's tax laws."

Tennessee residents who suspect violations of state revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at 800-FRAUDTX (372-8389).

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