MIAMI – Eston “Dusty” Melton III, a longtime lobbyist active in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, was sentenced on June 17, 2025, to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to evading the payment of more than $2 million in federal income taxes.
According to court documents, Melton ran a lobbying business that generated substantial income between 2005 and 2014. During that time, he filed federal tax returns reflecting a total tax liability of $1.3 million. However, with penalties and interest added over the years, his total debt to the IRS climbed to more than $2.1 million. Despite the growing balance, Melton paid only $62,100, while the IRS was able to recover another $537,231 through liens and levies.
Federal prosecutors said that from 2012 to 2021, Melton carried out an elaborate scheme to hide his income and assets from the IRS. When IRS agents threatened to seize his home, Melton appeared to cooperate by listing the house for sale. In reality, prosecutors said, he undermined efforts to sell the property and delayed the sale for six years.
Melton also diverted income and assets in other ways. He paid approximately $80,000 in cash to his wife, transferred all his clients to a new lobbying firm under her name, and continued working there for little or no pay. In addition, he helped her purchase a home using funds from his business, and transferred cars and life insurance policies into her name.
U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg sentenced Melton to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Melton was also ordered to pay $1.73 million in restitution to the IRS.
The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Osborne. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Bryne of the Southern District of Florida and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez.
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