United States Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby announced today that Richard Jervis, age 52, of Mooers, pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David R. Homer to willful failure to file a tax return. He faces a total sentence of up to one (1) year imprisonment, a fine of $1,000.00 or both, plus costs of prosecution. Sentencing was set for Friday, January 17, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in Albany.

The defendant was arrested in upstate New York on or about May 14, 2001 on an Indictment that had been returned in the Central District of California in 1985 that charged him with willfully failing to file federal tax returns for calendar years 1978, 1979 and 1980. At the defendant's request and with the agreement of the United States Attorney's Offices for the Northern District of New York and the Central District of California, the case was transferred to this District for plea and sentencing.

In the Factual Basis contained in the Plea Agreement that was filed today, the defendant admitted that, during calendar year 1978, he received a gross income of approximately $22,046.61 and that, by reason of such income, he was required by law to make and file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service. The defendant admitted that he nevertheless willfully and knowingly failed to make and file said income tax return. As part of the Plea Agreement, the defendant agreed to provide timely, full, complete and accurate information to the Internal Revenue Service for calendar years 1978 through 2000, to fully cooperate in the determination and payment of any taxes, penalties, and interest that may be due and owing to the United States for those years, and to pay all taxes, penalties, and interest ultimately determined by the parties to be due and owing to the United States.

The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service.  It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.

The information contained in this Press Release was derived exclusively from the public record in this case, including the Indictment, the Plea Agreement, and the proceedings before the Court.

CONTACT:   Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert P. Storch
                       518-431-0247