ANDERSON COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION

The operator of a chain of Upstate convenience and liquor stores pleaded guilty to state tax evasion on June 10 after he was accused of underreporting sales by more than $3 million.

Yagneshkumar Pravin Patel, 45, of Piedmont, was the operator of Yadhi Groups, LLC and Yadhi Spirits, LLC, with stores in Greenville, Pickens, Anderson, and Spartanburg counties. According to arrest warrants, Patel reported taxable sales of more than $770,000 between 2016 and 2021. However, an investigation found his actual taxable sales to be more than $4.2 million. He was charged in September 2024 with six counts of tax evasion.

Patel pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to one count of tax evasion but admitted to guilt in each of the six tax years for which he was originally charged.

Circuit Judge Walton McLeod sentenced Patel to five years in prison, suspended to five years of probation, with the requirement that he pay $231,408 in restitution for the Sales Tax he owed. That probation can be terminated early if Patel repays the entire amount of restitution ordered.

The SCDOR is committed to the fair administration of tax laws. By taking enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers, the Department seeks to prevent unfairly increasing the tax burden on those who do comply.

If you suspect or know of anyone or a business that has committed a state tax crime, such as tax evasion or tax fraud, contact SCDOR Criminal Investigation and submit a Tax Violation Complaint Form (CID-27) to FraudAdvisor@dor.sc.gov or mail it to:

South Carolina Department of Revenue
Attn: Fraud Advisor
2070 Northbrook Blvd, Suite B7
North Charleston, SC 29406

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