Lawyer agrees to plead guilty to paying kickbacks to revenue agents

CHICAGO -- A Southwest suburban attorney has agreed to plead guilty to paying kickbacks to former state tax auditors.

In a deal with federal prosecutors, 36-year-old Dean Roupas of Burbank admitted he paid three auditors thousands of dollars in exchange for their recommending his services to people they audited. He received nearly $150,000 in attorney's fees.

He faces up to 10 years in prison when he's sentenced. No sentencing date has been set.

The three former auditors have also been indicted and are due in court in April.

The Illinois Department of Revenue prohibits auditors from accepting gifts worth more than $50. And no gift may be accepted if it's intended to influence an official action.

A message left for Roupas' attorney Tuesday was not immediately returned.