Walden Attorney Charged With Filing False Tax Returns

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation ("IRS-CI"), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JOHN REVELLA with four counts of subscribing to false tax returns for 2019 through 2022. REVELLA surrendered today and was presented in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.

"John Revella allegedly filed false tax returns that underreported income from his law practice," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Cheating on your taxes is stealing from those who pay their fair share and from the public services that New Yorkers rely on. This Office will continue to pursue those who attempt to criminally shift their obligations onto honest taxpayers."

"When a licensed attorney with real knowledge of the law tries to hide his alleged misconduct, IRS-CI is there to follow the money and bring the facts to light," said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. "Today's indictment reflects the power of coordinated financial investigations and underscores IRS-CI's commitment to following the facts, uncovering the truth, and holding individuals accountable when they abuse the financial system for personal gain."

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

REVELLA was admitted to the practice of law in New York and maintained a solo practice in Walden, New York, that focused primarily on real estate transactions. REVELLA deposited funds he received in the course of his law practice into an Interest on Lawyer Account ("IOLA") he maintained on behalf of his law practice. REVELLA did not maintain an operating bank account for his law practice.

REVELLA withdrew legal fees he earned from his practice's IOLA account primarily by drawing checks made payable to himself from the account and then cashing those checks at the bank. From 2018 to 2022 inclusive, REVELLA cashed approximately 1,700 checks in a total amount exceeding $1.1 million.

Although REVELLA reported between $22,700 to $30,750 in income from his law practice on his 2019 through 2022 tax returns, he failed to report a total of more than $1 million in such income during that period. As a result, REVELLA failed to pay a total of more than $380,000 in taxes during those four years.

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REVELLA, 48, of Walden, New York, is charged with four counts of subscribing to false tax returns, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the IRS-CI.

This case is being handled by the Office's White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.