Eston “Dusty” Melton III, a prominent government relations specialist in South Florida, has pleaded guilty to tax evasion after failing to pay over $1.3 million in taxes between 2005 and 2014. The U.S. Department of Justice stated that Melton lied to the IRS in multiple ways when confronted about his tax obligations. Despite initially pleading not guilty, Melton expressed remorse for his actions in a recent interview with the Miami Herald.
Melton’s plea agreement could result in a two to three-year prison sentence, with a sentencing hearing set for May 16. The Department of Justice outlined six ways Melton evaded IRS efforts to collect taxes, including transferring funds to his wife’s account, creating a competing lobbying firm, and purchasing a new home with lobbying proceeds.
Melton, who has been a prominent figure in Miami-Dade County Hall for decades, worked as a journalist before becoming a lobbyist in 1982. He took over a major lobbying business in 1995 and has represented clients such as Avmed, Delta Dental Insurance, and the University of Miami.
In a statement to the Herald, Melton explained that his failure to pay taxes stemmed from prioritizing family obligations, including alimony, child support, and college tuition costs. He claimed to have made efforts to repay his tax debt, including using proceeds from selling his home in 2018. Despite his remorse, Melton may face a prison sentence for his actions.
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