Eston Eurel Melton III, a lobbyist from West Palm Beach, Florida, has admitted guilt in a tax evasion case. The charges are based on violations of 26 U.S.C. § 7201. Melton's work focuses on the Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County governments.
Court documents reveal that Melton failed to pay around $1.2 million in taxes for the years spanning 2005 to 2014. By mid-2019, his debt had grown to approximately $1.7 million due to penalties and interest. To avoid IRS collection efforts, Melton used several strategies.
Firstly, he misled the IRS about selling his residence by pretending to cooperate with a sale while actually obstructing it. Secondly, through his lobbying firm Global Projects, Inc., he issued checks totaling about $67,000 to himself which were cashed out and then deposited into an account belonging to a family member identified as Individual 2.
Additionally, Individual 2 started Gryphon Partners, Inc., another lobbying business that saw increased revenue as clients moved from Global Projects. Despite providing most services for both firms post-2019, Melton received little compensation directly; instead payments went to Individual 2.
Moreover, Individual 2 purchased a new home where both resided but claimed sole ownership despite funds originating from Melton’s work at both companies. After December 2018, Melton ceased having a checking account and transferred life insurance policies worth approximately $51,000 along with car titles to Individual 2.
A sentencing hearing is set for May 16, 2025. A federal judge will determine the sentence considering various guidelines and factors.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida alongside Acting Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne is handling prosecution duties while IRS-CI conducted the investigation.
For further details or related court documents visit www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-80001.
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