Markenzy Lapointe U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
Eston Eurel Melton III, a lobbyist from West Palm Beach, Florida, has admitted guilt to tax evasion as per 26 U.S.C. § 7201. Melton's work primarily involves lobbying for the Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County governments.
Court documents reveal that Melton failed to pay around $1.2 million in taxes from 2005 to 2014. By mid-2019, his tax debt had increased to approximately $1.7 million due to penalties and interest. To avoid IRS collection efforts, Melton took several actions.
Firstly, he misled the IRS about selling his residence while actually obstructing the sale process. Secondly, through his company Global Projects, Inc., he signed checks totaling about $67,000 payable to himself and cashed them. A family member identified as Individual 2 then deposited similar amounts into her account shortly thereafter.
Additionally, Individual 2 opened a new lobbying firm called Gryphon Partners, Inc., which saw an increase in revenue while Global Projects' revenue declined as clients shifted to Gryphon Partners. Despite continuing to perform most of the lobbying services, Melton received minimal payments after 2019; distributions were made instead to his family member.
Moreover, Individual 2 purchased a home in West Palm Beach where both resided but claimed sole ownership at closing using funds largely sourced from Melton's work with Global Projects and Gryphon Partners. After December 2018, Melton did not maintain a checking account and transferred life insurance policies worth around $51,000 and titles of two cars to Individual 2.
A sentencing hearing is set for May 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM before a federal district court judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other factors when determining any sentence.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne is prosecuting this case with investigations conducted by IRS-CI’s Miami Field Office.
Relevant court documents can be accessed on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida's website or via PACER under case number 25-cr-80001.
