The Tennessee Department of Revenue's Special Investigations Section conducted the investigation that led to the indictment and subsequent guilty plea of Donald B. Long, III to one felony count of sales tax evasion.

On Dec. 12, 2008, Long, former owner of Mid South Power Sports, LLC, located at 375 Commerce Place, Jasper, Tenn., was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation. He was also required to pay $68,374.63 in restitution to the state for sales tax he collected but intentionally did not remit from Aug. 2004 through March 2005 and May 2005 through May 2006.

"The majority of businesses pay appropriate taxes," said Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. "This case serves as a warning to others who think they can get away with tax fraud in Tennessee. We will continue to pursue criminal activity and prosecute tax evaders to maintain fairness in our tax structure for Tennesseans."

This case was pursued criminally by the department in cooperation with District Attorney General Michael Taylor'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).