GALLATIN, Tenn. (9-22-2023) – The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation which led to Thursday’s guilty plea by Peter Bush to tax charges related to his false registration of a 2016 Sea Ray boat at the Sumner County Clerk’s Office.
Judge Dee Gay accepted Bush’s guilty plea and sentenced him to a four-year suspended sentence and ordered restitution to the Department of Revenue. Bush is 67 years old.
“The Department of Revenue strives to promote voluntary compliance of Tennessee’s tax laws by educating taxpayers and aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions for accountability of fraudulent actors,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “This guilty plea underscores the department’s efforts to ensure for a level playing field for everyone and a fair administration of Tennessee’s tax laws.”
The department conducted the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney Ray Whitley’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, and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The department collects around 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2022 fiscal year, it collected nearly $20.9 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $4.3 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.
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