Popular Blogger WhistlinDiesel Accused of Tax Evasion
Fame on social media can attract not only the attention of fans but also that of government agencies. Cody Detweiler, known by the pseudonym WhistlinDiesel, recently learned this from personal experience. He was detained in Tennessee on charges of tax crimes related to the purchase of a Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Key Points of the Case
The Beginning of the Problems
Detweiler purchased the Ferrari F8 Tributo with the intention of destroying it for content. However, one of the videos showing the car engulfed in flames caught the attention of law enforcement. The footage shows that the car was fitted with Montana license plates, which could have been the reason for the investigation.
Legal Consequences
According to media reports, Detweiler and his company WhistlinDiesel LLC have been charged with committing a crime under the Tennessee Code. According to the law, tax evasion amounting to more than $500 is a criminal offense. The prosecution claims that the blogger attempted to avoid paying the sales tax on the Ferrari by exactly that amount.
Detweiler posted videos and photos of his detention on social media with the comment: “Won so much they thought I was cheating. (100% real, not AI)”. Later he added: “I didn’t do anything”.
Possible Reasons for the Charges
Experts suggest that the reason for the charges could be the registration of the car in Montana, where tax laws are more favorable for owners of expensive vehicles. Many states, including Tennessee, are actively fighting this practice. It is noted that WhistlinDiesel LLC is officially registered in Montana.
Next Steps
A court hearing on the case is scheduled for November 19 in Williamson County. Journalists are trying to get additional comments from Detweiler, but no responses have been received so far.
This case could become an important precedent in the fight against tax schemes related to vehicle registration in states with preferential taxation. Law enforcement demonstrates a willingness to hold even popular influencers accountable, whose actions may violate the law. The success of the investigation will depend on whether the prosecutors can prove the intent to evade taxes, and not just the use of legal opportunities to optimize expenses.