Dixon given probation
A local business owner avoided jail time Wednesday after he shorted the state department of revenue over $75,000 by failing to turn in his sales tax collections over a five-year period.
The defendant, Mel Dixon, 58, told Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley Wednesday that he had no explanation for why he did not turn in the money to the state despite the fact he admittedly knew he was supposed to turn in his sales tax receipts. Dixon was granted a two-year pre-trial diversion, meaning he did not have to enter a guilty plea to the charge. Instead, provided he completes a two-year probationary term, the charges will be dropped.
Dixon was indicted on 54 counts of tax evasion last year after an audit revealed he failed to pay state income tax on nearly $1 million in stores receipts from his business, McMinnville Mercantile, from 1997 to 2002. It was also learned he collected the sales tax but had failed to turn it in to the state.
As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Dixon has already paid back the money he shorted the state revenue office, plus he surrendered a $25,000 cash bond to the state.
Given the fact Dixon has no prior criminal record and is otherwise a good member of the community, Stanley said he was required by law to accept the pre-trial diversion application but warned Dixon that failure to complete the two-year probationary term could mean two years in prison.
“He’s been given excellent character references with many saying what happened was very out of character for the individual they’ve known all these years,” Stanley said, noting the defendant has been active in his church for many years.