Judge Recuses in Richardson Tax Fraud Case
Shelby County Judge Jahari Dowdy stepped aside from the case against Commissioner Will Richardson, which was reassigned to Judge James Jones.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Corruption
Judge Jahari Dowdy recused herself from the tax fraud case against Shelby County Commissioner Will Richardson, who serves as her county commissioner, and the case has been reassigned to Judge James Jones. Richardson, who represents District 8, is charged in connection with his business, Fat Charlie's Speakeasy.
Why it matters
The recusal removes a potential conflict of interest from the proceedings, since the presiding judge and the defendant share a county government relationship. Richardson has maintained his innocence and said he will fully participate in the legal process while continuing to serve his district.
Richardson was booked in September on tax fraud charges tied to alleged falsified sales tax returns submitted to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. The case now sits before Judge James Jones, and the extraction does not specify a court date or total amount at issue.
The players
Will Richardson
Richardson is a Shelby County Commissioner representing District 8 who is facing tax fraud charges tied to his Memphis business, Fat Charlie's Speakeasy.
Jahari Dowdy
Dowdy is a Shelby County judge who recused herself from the case because Richardson serves as her county commissioner.
James Jones
Jones is the judge to whom the Richardson tax fraud case has been reassigned following Dowdy's recusal.
The details
An indictment alleges Richardson intentionally concealed collected sales tax revenue from December 2020 through September 2024 and submitted falsified sales tax returns to the state. Richardson has said he is innocent and will continue serving District 8 while the case proceeds.
Timeline
• December 2020 to September 2024: Period of alleged falsified sales tax returns and concealed revenue.
• September: Richardson is booked on the tax fraud charges.
• November 4, 2026: Judge Dowdy's recusal is reported and the case is reassigned to Judge Jones.
Legal Context
Recusal rules in Tennessee courts require a judge to step aside when a relationship with a party could compromise impartiality, and the reassignment of the Richardson case to Judge Jones follows that procedure. The move keeps the prosecution moving within the Shelby County court system rather than altering the charges themselves.
Residents of District 8 are represented by a commissioner now facing tax fraud charges, which bears on the county's oversight of local government. The reassignment to Judge Jones means the case will be heard in a different courtroom than originally scheduled.
The takeaway
Public officials facing criminal charges are still entitled to a neutral court, which is why judges with conflicts step aside. Readers tracking local government can follow the case as it moves before Judge Jones.
Further reading
For more on public official cases in the region, see Corruption coverage from Memphis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Actionnews5.
