Isaac Lanier Avant, Failure to File Tax Returns, Virginia 2013

Failure to File Tax Returns Lands Congressional Staffer in Hot Water

In a shocking case of tax evasion, U.S. House of Representatives staffer Isaac Lanier Avant has been charged with five counts of willfully failing to file a tax return for the years 2009 through 2013. The news comes as a blow to the Congressional staffer who has been employed by the U.S. House of Representatives since approximately 2002.

According to the criminal information and affidavit, Avant earned annual wages of over $170,000 during the years in question, but did not timely file a personal income tax return for any of those years. In a brazen move, Avant filed a form with his employer in May 2005 that falsely claimed he was exempt from federal income taxes. It wasn’t until January 2013 that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandated that his employer begin withholding taxes from his paycheck.

Avant’s actions have led to a serious crime that can land him in prison for a significant amount of time. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of one year in prison for each count, as well as a term of supervised release and monetary penalties.

The case was investigated by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Hanly and Assistant Chief Todd Ellinwood of the Tax Division prosecuting the case. This is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even Congressional staffers.

As Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo and U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente pointed out, an information merely alleges that crimes have been committed and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.

The Tax Division is responsible for enforcing tax laws and ensuring that individuals and organizations comply with tax regulations. Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts can be found on their website.

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