In what the state sees as a stern message to tax dodgers everywhere, a Campbell County local has been collared on charges of tax evasion. Darrell Ashley Lawson, 45, found himself in handcuffs and now faces the serious possibility of hard time for attempting to stiff the taxman.
A probe by the Tennessee Department of Revenue's Special Investigations Section set the stage for Lawson's indictment. He was booked into the Campbell County Jail come Tuesday, according to official reports. "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 stated. This indictment is painted as a testament to the department's dedication to enforcing state tax laws.
Lawson's troubles could translate to a two-year stretch in the state pen and a fine of $3,000, should the gavel come down hard. The case is being pursued in cooperation with the office of District Attorney Jared Effler.
The Department of Revenue, holding the purse strings on a significant amount of Tennessee's cash flow, brought in nearly $22 billion in state taxes and fees this past fiscal year, not to mention the more then $4.7 billion collected for local municipalities. Citizens with a hunch about potential revenue law violations can drop a dime on the tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).
