Owner of Nashville auto business indicted on felony tax evasion and theft

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville business owner has been indicted on six felony counts of tax evasion and one count of theft over $250,000.

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Paul E. Cox was indicted on July 24, according to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Cox owns Southeast Automotive in Goodlettsville.

The indictment alleges that Cox falsified monthly sales tax returns. Additionally, Cox also failed to remit sales taxes of more than $250,000 to the Department of Revenue.

“Most businesses in Tennessee remit the tax dollars they collect from customers,” Revenue
Commissioner David Gerregano said in the release. “This indictment should serve as a warning to those that believe they can get away with tax fraud. Our department remains committed to prosecuting tax evaders to ensure a level playing field for all businesses.”

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Cox could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for each tax evasion charge. Cox could also be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years and fined up to $50,000.

His bond was set at $50,000.

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