Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, announced on Mar. 25 the unsealing of an indictment charging John Revella with four counts of subscribing to false tax returns for the years 2019 through 2022. Revella surrendered and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.
The case highlights concerns about tax compliance among professionals entrusted with legal responsibilities. Prosecutors allege that Revella underreported his income from his law practice by more than $1 million over four years, resulting in unpaid taxes exceeding $380,000.
"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."
According to prosecutors, Revella maintained a solo law practice in Walden focused mainly on real estate transactions and deposited client funds into an Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA). Instead of maintaining a separate operating account for his business, he withdrew legal fees by writing checks payable to himself and cashing them at banks—cashing approximately 1,700 checks totaling over $1.1 million between 2018 and 2022.
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., said: "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... 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."
Revella faces up to twelve years in prison if convicted; however, any sentence will be determined by a judge according to statutory guidelines set by Congress.
Clayton praised both agencies' investigative work on this case which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James McMahon out of White Plains Division.
The charges are allegations only; Revella is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
