Judge recuses herself from Shelby Co. Commissioner Will Richardson tax fraud case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A new judge has been assigned to oversee the case against Shelby County Commissioner Will Richardson following a recusal.

According to court documents, Judge Jahari Dowdy recused herself from the case because Richardson serves as her county commissioner.

The case has been reassigned to Judge James Jones.

Richardson, who represents District 8, is charged with tax fraud linked to his business, Fat Charlie’s Speakeasy. An indictment alleges Richardson submitted falsified sales tax returns to the Tennessee Department of Revenue and intentionally concealed collected sales tax revenue between December 2020 and September 2024.

Following his September booking, Richardson maintained his innocence in a public statement, stating he would fully participate in the legal process while continuing to serve his district.

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