Former Anderson County Businessman Arrested for Tax Evasion
Clinton, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of Sophak Sopheap for tax evasion. Revenue agents arrested Sopheap, age 33. Bond was set at $10,000.
On November 10, 2020, an Anderson County Grand Jury indicted Sopheap on 21 felony counts of tax evasion. The indictments allege Sopheap failed to remit sales tax due for Master Donuts.
“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, Sopheap 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.
The Department is pursuing this criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Dave Clark’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).
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 2019 fiscal year, it collected $15.3 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.