Shelby County Business Owner Pleads No Contest to Tax Evasion and Theft

Shelby County Business Owner Pleads No Contest

Friday, March 13, 2026 | 10:09am MEMPHIS - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Thursday’s no contest plea from Billy Richmond Jr., owner of the Wing Guru, Inc., to tax evasion and theft.

On Thursday, March 12, Judge Jennifer Mitchell accepted Richmond’s no contest plea to theft of property over $60,000 and tax evasion. These charges stem from Richmond’s failure to remit collected sales tax on behalf of two Wing Guru locations in Memphis, Tennessee. Richmond was placed on probation for a period of eight years and ordered to pay $337,609.12 in restitution.

“It is a felony for retailers to collect sales tax from the public and fail to remit it to the state,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said.  “The Department of Revenue pursues criminal sanctions to provide accountability for these actions.”

The department pursued the criminal case in cooperation with District Attorney General Steve Mulroy’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 2025 fiscal year, it collected over $21 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $5 billion in taxes and fees for local governments. To learn more about the department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.