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John Revella, the Village of Walden Manager, has been placed on paid administrative leave as of Thursday (April 2). This decision follows an investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office into the Village of Walden’s Housing Rehabilitation Program. The investigation, which began with the issuance of multiple subpoenas, focuses on certain participants, including a local real estate agent and his family, who allegedly may not have been eligible for the low-interest loans offered by the program.
Revella, who has been Walden's Manager since 2010 and also serves as an Orange County legislator, is reportedly involved in overseeing and approving these loans. The Mid-Hudson News reports that the subpoenas requested documentation related to loans issued over several years, starting before December 2025. Some borrowers are alleged to have used the loans for ineligible properties, treating them as real estate investments with the help of a property management company before flipping them for profit.
The investigation raises questions about whether these loans were repaid. If any improprieties are found, criminal charges could be pursued by the District Attorney’s Office or other law enforcement agencies. Revella has not commented on the situation, and it remains unclear how long he will remain on leave or if the Village Board will take further action.
In addition to the current investigation, Revella was federally indicted last month for allegedly filing false tax returns. He plans to contest these charges. The Village of Walden’s Housing Rehabilitation Program aims to improve housing conditions and the community's overall appearance, with mortgage rates ranging from zero to three percent. The program requires homeowners to have sufficient equity in their homes to qualify for a loan.