Transparency International: Definition of Corruption

IT IS A MISUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSION TO VOTE 3-2 TO MAKE THE FLORIDA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE'S LAW FIRM OUR ST. JOHNS COUNTY ATTORNEY.  FROM TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL:

WHAT IS CORRUPTION?

We define corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Corruption erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis.

Exposing corruption and holding the corrupt to account can only happen if we understand the way corruption works and the systems that enable it.Corruption can take many forms, and can include behaviours like:

• public servants demanding or taking money or favours in exchange for services, 
• politicians misusing public money or granting public jobs or contracts to their sponsors, friends and families, 
• corporations bribing officials to get lucrative deals

Corruption can happen anywhere: in business, government, the courts, the media, and in civil society, as well as across all sectors from health and education to infrastructure and sports.

Corruption can involve anyone: politicians, government officials, public servants, business people or members of the public. 

Corruption happens in the shadows, often with the help of professional enablers such as bankers, lawyers, accountants and real estate agents, opaque financial systems and anonymous shell companies that allow corruption schemes to flourish and the corrupt to launder and hide their illicit wealth.

Corruption adapts to different contexts and changing circumstances. It can evolve in response to changes in rules, legislation and even technology.

See our anti-corruption glossary for more examples of corrupt behaviour

CORRUPTIONARY A-Z

The costs of corruption

Political costs

Your freedom and rule of law.

Social costs

Your participation and even your trust in government.

Environmental costs

Your chance for a healthy environment and a sustainable future.

Economic costs

Your opportunity to build and grow wealth.

To fight corruption, we must embrace transparency

Transparency is all about knowing who, why, what, how and how much. It means shedding light on formal and informal rules, plans, processes and actions. Transparency helps us, the public, hold all power to account for the common good. 

Seeking and receiving information is a human right that can act as a safeguard against corruption, and increase trust in decision makers and public institutions. However, transparency is not only about making information available, but ensuring it can be easily accessed, understood and used by citizens.

But transparency is only the first step to curbing corruption

We have learned from over twenty-five years of experience that corruption can only be kept in check if representatives from government, business and civil society work together for the common good.

Flagship tools: Why measuring corruption matters

To end corruption, we must first understand it. At Transparency International, we analyse the causes of corruption, its impact, and the most effective strategies to eradicate it. Our research methodologies and anti-corruption tools play a crucial role in exposing, measuring and reducing corruption worldwide.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is the leading global ranking of public sector corruption. Since its launch in 1995, the CPI has been widely credited with shaping the international anti-corruption agenda.

EXPLORE THE LATEST CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX

The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) is the world’s largest public survey on corruption, collecting first-hand data on how people experience and perceive corruption in their daily lives. Since 2003, it has surveyed tens of thousands of citizens worldwide, providing unique insights into bribery, abuse of power and institutional trust. Complements the CPI by reflecting public perceptions of corruption.

Conflict of Interest? St. Johns County, Florida Hiring "Influence" of Florida House Speaker-Designate SAM GARRISON

Update, April 6, 2025: STILL WAITING FOR RECORDS FROM Florida House Speaker-designate SAMUEL PAUL GARRISON, who stands to profit from a controversial St. Johns County Attorney contract, a contract violation of public policy rubber-stamped by Commissioners on 3-2 vote on March 25, 2025.  

I have now sent a third e-mail to County, which has not informed me about the date and time of the negotiation meeting, despite repeated requests to Commission Vice Chair Clay Murphy:  Commissioner Murphy said that the date for the negotiation meeting has not yet been set, but that he will advise me when it is scheduled, so that I can attend.

On Friday, March 28, 2025 at 03:27:56 PM EDT, Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com> wrote:

Dear Speaker-designate Garrison and Ms. Dixon::

Would you please be so kind as to tell me today the proposed date, time, place and agenda of the St. Johns County Attorney contract negotiation meeting between Vice Chair Clay Murphy and the law firm of Florida House Speaker-designate SAMUEL PAUL GARRISON?  

Please send all related documents by PDF today, including draft contract and draft and final public Sunshine notice of negotiation meeting.

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am, 

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

Box 3084

St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084 

www.edslavin.com

http://www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

http://www.staugustgreen.com

(904) 377-4998

Earlier, I sent a followup e-mail to Speaker-designate GARRISON and County:

On Friday, March 28, 2025 at 02:32:49 PM EDT, Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com> wrote:

Dear Speaker-designate Garrison and Ms. Dixon:

1. Please send me PDFs of the requested records today,

2. When would our Florida House Speaker-designate, Rep. SAMUEL PAUL GARRISON be available for an interview, either this weekend or on Monday, March 31, 2025,  about his BRADLEY, GARRISON & KOMANDO, P.A. law firm's proposed role as our St. St. Johns County Attorney based on "influence?"  

3. I look forward to hearing from both of you later today. 

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

Box 3084

St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084

www.edslavin.com

http://www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

http://www.staugustgreen.com

(904) 377-4998

Pray for putative "reform" St. Johns County Commissioner Clay Murphy to reconsider his rash decision, joining with two pro-developer hick hack sad sacks, tatterdemalion Commissioners CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST and SARAH ARNOLD, uninformed, uneducated and gullible as usual. 

On Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 01:39:10 PM EDT, Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com> wrote:

To Honorable Samuel Paul Garrison, Florida House Speaker-elect & Florida House Ethics Committee Chair 

and Ms. Betty Dixon, St. Johns County Attorney's office:

Dear Speaker-elect Garrison and Ms. Dixon:

1. Would you please be so kind as to send me by tomorrow all Florida Bar, Florida Ethics Commission,  Florida Attorney General, Florida House of Representatives or other legal opinions or requests for them, and all  correspondence, on Speaker-elect Garrison's corporate law firm (BRADLEY, GARRISON & KOMANDO, P.A.) and its proposed hiring as the County Attorney for St. Johns County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the State of Florida, on the basis of Speaker-elect SAMUEL PAUL GARRISON's "influence?" 

(Statement of Commission Vice Chair, Clay Murphy, on video, here: Mar 25, 2025 Special Board of County Commissioners - St. Johns County, FL

Mar 25, 2025 Special Board of County Commissioners - St. Johns County, FL

2. Florida law, F.S. 112.311,  states:

Legislative intent and declaration of policy:

(5) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state that no officer or employee of a state agency or of a county, city, or other political subdivision of the state, and no member of the Legislature or legislative employee, shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect; engage in any business transaction or professional activity; or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public interest. To implement this policy and strengthen the faith and confidence of the people of the state in their government, there is enacted a code of ethics setting forth standards of conduct required of state, county, and city officers and employees, and of officers and employees of other political subdivisions of the state, in the performance of their official duties. It is the intent of the Legislature that this code shall serve not only as a guide for the official conduct of public servants in this state, but also as a basis for discipline of those who violate the provisions of this part.

(6) It is declared to be the policy of the state that public officers and employees, state and local, are agents of the people and hold their positions for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State Constitution and to perform efficiently and faithfully their duties under the laws of the federal, state, and local governments. Such officers and employees are bound to observe, in their official acts, the highest standards of ethics consistent with this code and the advisory opinions rendered with respect hereto regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that promoting the public interest and maintaining the respect of the people in their government must be of foremost concern. 

F.S. 112.311

C.  As I wrote our St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners on March 17, 2025 (items renumbered):

1. Conflicts of interest  must be scrupulously guarded against. See, e.g., United States v. Mississippi Valley Generating Co., 364 U.S. 520, 548 (1961)("the 'Dixon-Yates' case," involving TVA rivals' conflicts of interest in a proposed Memphis coal-fired powerplant), citing Matthew 6:24 -- "no [person] can serve two masters," holding that laws and rules preventing conflicts of interest are aimed "not only at dishonor but at conduct that tempts dishonor."   

2. All conflict of interest laws are based upon Matthew 6:24 ("A man cannot serve two masters"), which the unanimous Supreme Court decision by Chief Justice Earl Warren deemed to be both a "moral principle" and a "maxim which is especially pertinent if one of the masters happens to be economic self-interest." 

3. {Speaker-elect SAM GARRISON's law partner] Mr. [RICHARD CHRISTIAN] KOMANDO unilaterally refuses to disclose the identity of his law firm clients, not client confidences. His overbearing assertion of privilege is unadorned by any citation to any court or ethics opinions on lawyers who are government employees.  This flunks the "laugh test."  It also flunks the "smell test." Mr. KOMANDO said he would not apply for the permanent County attorney position.  Now, aving applied for the permanent position, Mr. KOMANDO is in no position to withhold information that is materially relevant to his suitability to be our St. Johns County Attorney. Mr. KOMANDO is acting as if he were the judge in his own case.  This is so wrong.

4. James Madison wrote in The Federalist No. 10: "No [person] is allowed to be a judge in [his/her] own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time . . . ."

5. The United States Supreme Court held in In re Murchison, 349 U.S. 133, 136 (1955) (Black, J.), "[O]ur system of law has always endeavored to prevent even the probability of unfairness. To this end no man can be a judge in his own case and no man is permitted to try cases where he has an interest in the outcome."  See also TWA v. Civil Aeronautics Board, 102U.S. App. D.C. 391, 392, 254 F.2d 90, 91 (1958). Spencer v. Lapsley, 20 How. 264, 266 (1858); Publius Syrus, Moral Sayings 51 (D. Lyman transl. 1856) ("No one should be judge in his own cause."); Blaise Pascal, Thoughts, Letters and Opuscules 182 (Wight transl. 1859) ("It is not permitted to the most equitable of men to be a judge in his own cause."). As William Blackstone wrote, "[I]t is unreasonable that any man should determine his own quarrel," 1 W. Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 91 citing Dr. Bonham's Case, 8 Rep. 114a (C.P. 1610); see also City of London v. Wood, 12 Mod. 669, 687 (1701)(Lord Holt)(invalidating fine for refusal to serve as sheriff recovered by the city in its own court of Mayor and Aldermen). See also Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Lavoie, 475 U.S. 813 (1986)(overruling case where Chief Justice of Alabama Supreme Court wrongfully sat in judgment of case that would set precedent for his own pending case); Ward v. Village of Monroeville, 409 U.S. 57 (1972); Gibson v. Berryhill, 411 U.S. 564 (1973); Withrow v. Larkin, 421 U.S. 35 (1975); Cinderella Career and Finishing Schools, Inc. v. FTC, 425 F.2d 583 (D.C. Cir. 1970); American Cyanamid Co. v. FTC, 363 F.2d 757 (6th Cir. 1966); SCA Services, Inc. v. Morgan, 557 F.2d 110 (7th Cir.1977). 

6.  Being a secretive developer "team player" is not a bona fide occupational qualification in hiring a County Attorney. 

7. No "team players" are desired or required here. "Team player" is freighted with the speech-chilling implication that one is willing to "go along to get along," say what management wants to hear, and do what one is told by managers, no matter what the ethics or legality of the situation. In the political corruption case of United States v. Salvatti, 451 F.Supp. 195, 197-98 (E.D. Pa. 1978), one witness testified that "when she complained to the Mayor about Mr. Carroll's pressure, and advised him that the proposed payment to the Sylks would be totally improper and probably illegal, the Mayor chided her for not being a team player." See also Fitzgerald v. Seamans, 384 F.Supp. 688,697n7 (D.D.C. 1974), affirmed, 553 F.2d 220, 224 (D.C. Cir. 1977), reversed, Harlow v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800 (1982); Nixon v. Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 731 (1982) (remarks of President Nixon et al. on need to fire heroic Department of Defense whistleblower A. Ernest Fitzgerald after he testified truthfully before Congress on C-5A transport cost overruns, with Nixon saying Mr. Fitzgerald was "not a team player"); Broderick v. Ruder, 685 F.Supp. 1269 (D.D.C. 1988)(sexual harassment at Securities and Exchange Commission); Tomsic v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co, 85 F.3d 1472, 1474 (10th Cir. 1996); Geddes v. Benefits Review Board, 735 F.2d 1412, 1416, 1420 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority considered workers' compensation claimant not a "team player"); Davis v. California, 1996 WL 271001 (E.D.Cal.1996); Schloesser v. Kansas Dept. of Health & Environment, 766 F.Supp. 984 (D. Kansas 1991); Stradford v. Rockwell International, 48 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. (BNA) 697, 49 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 38,828,1988 WL 159939 (S.D.Ohio); Seymour M. Hersh, "Annals of National Security: The Intelligence Gap -- How the digital age left our spies out  in the cold," The New Yorker, December 6, 1999 at 58, 62.

8. Commissioners, please feel free to call me to discuss. 

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,  

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

Box 3084

St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084 

www.edslavin.com

http://www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

http://www.staugustgreen.com

(904) 377-4998

CONFLICTED SJC COUNTY ATTORNEY, RICHARD KOMANDO, DEFENDS CORPORATE CRIMINALS IN FEDERAL COURT. (Steve Patterson, USA Today/Jacksonville Times-Union, March 20, 2025)

Controversial Interim St. Johns County Attorney RICHARD CHRISTIAN KOMANDO was the criminal defense lawyer who defended two brothers charged with some $23 million in criminal tax evasion, while he is our County Attorney. KOMANDO told reporters that off-the-books work is "common" in the construction industry.   Read Justice Department press release here.  Read U.S. District Court docket, below.

Brothers TRAVIS MORGAN SLAUGHTER and TRIPP CHARLES SLAUGHTER were indicted on February 22, 2023.   When appointed to the temporary Interim County Attorney job and when applying for the permanent County Attorney job, RICHARD CHRISTIAN KOMANDO never disclosed his legal representation of the SLAUGHTER brothers, or any other corporate clients.  Wonder why?

RICH KOMANDO has refused to disclose his client list to Commissioner Ann Taylor and to me. 

Wonder why? 

We have a Right to Know.

As Thomas Jefferson said, "a public office is a public trust."

Appointed to be Interim County Attorney in 2024 on a 4-1 vote, at the behest of his "friend," DeSANTIS-appointed then-Commissioner ROY ALYRE ALAIMO, JR., RICH KOMANDO told Commissioners last year that he would not seek the permanent County Attorney position. Now he seeks the permanent position, with a public meeting on March 25, 2025.

RICH KOMANDO was hired in his own name, but the County pays his law firm. 

RICH KOMANDO's law firm has applied for the position of permaennt County Attorney, not KOMANDO. 

Naturally, two developer-funded St. Johns County Commissioners, SARAH ARNOLD and CHRISTIAN WHITEHURST, are OK with the KOMANDO firm applying for the job, as demonstrated by their colloquy at the March 18, 2025 Commission meeting.  They pointed out that the County's job posting did not exclude law firms.  Ordinarily, County Attorneys are living, breathing natural persons. That dawg won't hunt.

I await responses to my February 17, 2025 requests for documents on KOMANDO, including time, gift, expense and travel records and list of all of his clients. 

From USA Today:  

Jacksonville roofer brothers get prison time for $23 million 'off the books' payroll scam

Steve Patterson

Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

• Two Jacksonville brothers, Travis and Tripp Slaughter, have been sentenced to prison for hiding millions in payroll from the IRS.
• The brothers, who owned roofing companies, underreported payroll to insurance companies and paid workers off the books to avoid taxes.
• This case is part of a larger trend of federal prosecutions targeting off-the-books work in the construction industry.

Two Jacksonville brothers whose roofing companies collectively hid about $23 million in payroll are headed to prison for cheating the government and businesses who insured their crews.

Travis Slaughter, 53, was sentenced Wednesday to 41 months behind bars and Tripp Slaughter, 50, drew a 21-month sentence from U.S. District Court Senior Judge Harvey Schlesinger.

Both men pleaded guilty last fall to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and could have both been sentenced to terms as long as 25 years behind bars.

The cases continue a string of federal prosecutions involving off-the-books work that Travis Slaughter’s attorney, Richard Komando, characterized as “pervasive” in the building industry. Prosecutors in Orlando, for example, last fall accused a company there of cheating the IRS and insurers of money due from payrolls that totaled $292 million.

The prosecutions can also have implications for ongoing federal efforts to remove immigrants working in this country without legal approval.

A 22-count indictment brought against the Slaughters in 2023 described many of their workers as “citizens of other countries who were living and working in the United States illegally.”

The brothers both pleaded guilty to just two of those counts and the rest of the indictment was dropped Wednesday.

The indictment said the brothers controlled three companies — Great White Construction, Florida Roofing Experts and 5 Star Roofing Services — and supplied only partial information to “professional employer organizations,” or PEOs, the businesses contracted to manage tasks like paying withholding taxes and premiums for workers’ comp insurance.

Insurance premiums depended on the number of people working, and prosecutors argued the roofers only reported a fraction of their payrolls through PEOs, giving them business records that looked clean and had low premium costs while crew leaders paid workers the rest of their wages separately without deducting payroll taxes.

Details in Travis Slaughter's plea agreement said that between 2015 and 2020, Great White paid $8.8 million that wasn't reported to IRS; Florida Roofing paid $12.8 million; and 5 Star paid $1.4 million. Payroll taxes that should have been collected on those checks totaled $4.3 million, the agreement said.

Travis Slaughter “was the driver of this train” who started the scam before his brother, Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold “Chip” Corsmeier told the judge, but said Tripp Slaughter was actively involved with in later years.

The plea agreements the brothers signed last yar also committed Travis Slaughter to pay just under $10 million in restitution and Tripp Slaughters to pay about $1.2 million.

U.S. District Court docket:

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BOND,CLOSED,PLED

U.S. District Court
Middle District of Florida (Jacksonville)
CRIMINAL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 3:23-cr-00021-HES-SJH-1

Case title: USA v. Slaughter et al

Date Filed: 02/22/2023  Date Terminated: 03/19/2025

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Assigned to: Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger Referred to: Magistrate Judge Samuel J. Horovitz
Defendant (1)
Travis Morgan Slaughter TERMINATED: 03/19/2025	represented by	Richard Christian Komando  Bradley, Garrison & Komando  1845 East West Parkway  Suite 6  Fleming Island, FL 32003  904-269-1111  Email: rich@claylawyers.com ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Designation: Retained
Pending Counts		Disposition
ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MAIL FRAUD (1)		Imprisonment: 41 months. This term consists of a 41-month term as to Count 1 and a 41-month term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Supervised Release: 3 years. This term consists of a 3-year term as to Count 1 and a 3-year term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Special Assessment: $200.00; Restitution: $9,989,093.54, payable to Builders Mutual Insurance Company ($1,548,631.50), SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Inc. ($1,671,849.72) and the Internal Revenue Service ($6,768,612.32.); Forfeiture: The defendant shall forfeit to the United States the following assets: $2,780,947.56.
CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES (2)		Imprisonment: 41 months. This term consists of a 41-month term as to Count 1 and a 41-month term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Supervised Release: 3 years. This term consists of a 3-year term as to Count 1 and a 3-year term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Special Assessment: $200.00; Restitution: $9,989,093.54, payable to Builders Mutual Insurance Company ($1,548,631.50), SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Inc. ($1,671,849.72) and the Internal Revenue Service ($6,768,612.32.); Forfeiture: The defendant shall forfeit to the United States the following assets: $2,780,947.56.
Highest Offense Level (Opening)
Felony
Terminated Counts		Disposition
WILLFUL FAILURE TO COLLECT/PAY OVER TAX (3-15)		Dismissed pursuant to the Plea Agreement and on the government's motion
ATTEMPT TO EVADE OR DEFEAT TAX (16-18)		Dismissed pursuant to the Plea Agreement and on the government's motion
Highest Offense Level (Terminated)
Felony
Complaints		Disposition
None

---

Plaintiff
USA	represented by	Arnold B. Corsmeier  US Attorney's Office - FLM  Suite 700  300 N Hogan St  Jacksonville, FL 32202  904/301-6300  Fax: 904/301-6310  Email: chip.corsmeier@usdoj.gov LEAD ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Designation: Retained Jennifer Michele Harrington  United States Attorney's Office  400 W. Washington Street, Suite 3100  Orlando, FL 32801  407-648-7651  Fax: 407-648-7643  Email: Jennifer.harrington2@usdoj.gov ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Designation: Retained Mai Tran  United States Attorney's Office  Suite 700  300 N. Hogan Street  Jacksonville, FL 32202  904-301-6300  Fax: 904-301-6310  Email: mai.tran2@usdoj.gov TERMINATED: 11/16/2023 ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED

Date Filed	#	Docket Text
02/22/2023	1	INDICTMENT returned in open court as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1) count(s) 1, 2, 3-15, 16-18, Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) count(s) 1, 2, 19-22. (Attachments: # 1 Restricted Unredacted Indictment) (AET) (Entered: 02/23/2023)
02/22/2023	2	MOTION for ARREST Warrant by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter. (AET) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey. (Entered: 02/23/2023)
02/23/2023	3	ORDER granting 2 Motion for Arrest Warrant as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1). Signed by Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey on 2/23/2023. (AET) (Entered: 02/23/2023)
02/24/2023	13	ORDER as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter: Pursuant to the Due Process Protections Act, the Court confirms the United States' obligation to produce all exculpatory evidence to the defendant pursuant to Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), and its progeny and orders the United States to do so. Failing to do so in a timely manner may result in consequences, including exclusion of evidence, adverse jury instructions, dismissal of charges, contempt proceedings, and sanctions. Signed by Judge Timothy J. Corrigan on 12/01/2020. (AET) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023		Arrest of Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter on 2/24/2023 (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	14	Minute Entry for In Person proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey: Initial Appearance as to Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter held on 2/24/2023, ARRAIGNMENT as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1) Count 1, 2, 3-15, 16-18, and Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Count 1, 2, 19-22, held on 2/24/2023 Defendant(s) pled not guilty. (Digital) (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	15	ORAL MOTION for Bond by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter. (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	16	Unsecured Appearance BOND entered as to Travis Morgan Slaughter in amount of $25,000.00 with no deposit required to the Registry of the Court. (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	18	ORDER SETTING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE (granting 15 Oral Motion for Bond) as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1) Unsecured Appearance Bond. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey on 2/24/2023. (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	20	NOTICE of acceptance of general discovery by Travis Morgan Slaughter (Filed in Open Court) (TSP) (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/24/2023	22	SCHEDULING ORDER as to Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter: Status Conference set for 4/19/2023 at 01:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Jury Trial set for trial term commencing on 5/1/2023 at 09:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Discovery motions due by 3/24/2023. Dispositive motions due by 3/24/2023. Signed by Deputy Clerk on 2/24/2023. (TSP) Modified on 2/27/2023 (TSP). (Entered: 02/24/2023)
02/27/2023	23	ARREST Warrant Returned Executed on 02/24/2023 as to Travis Morgan Slaughter. (AET) (Entered: 02/27/2023)
03/08/2023	25	NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE Mai Tran appearing for USA. (Tran, Mai) (Entered: 03/08/2023)
04/14/2023	27	MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) (Entered: 04/14/2023)
04/19/2023	28	Minute Entry for In Person proceedings held before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger: STATUS Conference as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter held on 4/19/2023. Court Reporter: Shannon Bishop (TPL) (Entered: 04/19/2023)
04/19/2023	29	ORAL MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (TPL) (Entered: 04/19/2023)
04/19/2023	30	ORDER granting 29 ORAL Motion to Continue as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 9/11/2023 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 8/16/2023 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 4/19/2023. (TPL) (Entered: 04/19/2023)
08/16/2023	31	Minute Entry for In Person proceedings held before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger: STATUS Conference as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter held on 8/16/2023. Court Reporter: Shannon Bishop (TPL) (Entered: 08/16/2023)
08/16/2023	32	ORAL MOTION to Continue Trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (TPL) (Entered: 08/16/2023)
08/16/2023	33	ORDER granting 32 Motion to Continue as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for 11/6/2023 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 10/18/2023 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 8/16/2023. (TPL) (Entered: 08/16/2023)
10/17/2023	34	MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) (Entered: 10/17/2023)
10/17/2023	35	ORDER granting 34 Defendants' Joint Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing on 1/8/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 12/13/2023 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Judge Brian J. Davis on 10/17/2023. (TPL) (Entered: 10/17/2023)
11/16/2023	36	Notice of substitution of AUSA. Jennifer Michele Harrington substituting for Mai Tran. (Harrington, Jennifer) (Entered: 11/16/2023)
12/07/2023	37	Joint MOTION to Continue trial by Tripp Charles Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Lasnetski, Jeremy) (Entered: 12/07/2023)
12/11/2023	38	ORDER granting 37 Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Continue as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 3/4/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 2/21/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 12/11/2023. (TPL) (Entered: 12/11/2023)
02/14/2024	39	NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING HEARING (AS TO TIME ONLY): The Status Conference hearing previously scheduled for February 21, 2024 is rescheduled as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. New hearing time: Status Conference set for 2/21/2024 at 1:15 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger (TPL) (Entered: 02/14/2024)
02/15/2024	40	Unopposed Joint MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) Modified on 2/16/2024 to edit docket text (JDR). (Entered: 02/15/2024)
02/16/2024	41	ORDER granting 40 Motion to Continue as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 5/6/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 4/17/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 2/16/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 02/16/2024)
04/12/2024	42	MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) (Entered: 04/12/2024)
04/15/2024	43	ORDER granting 42 Defendants' Unopposed Joint Motion to Continue; Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 7/8/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 6/12/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey on 4/15/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 04/15/2024)
06/11/2024	44	Unopposed Joint MOTION to Continue Trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) (Modified on 6/11/2024, to edit text) (BGR). (Entered: 06/11/2024)
06/11/2024	45	ORDER granting 44 Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 9/9/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 8/21/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joel B. Toomey on 6/11/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 06/11/2024)
07/08/2024	46	Case as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter Reassigned New case number: 3:23-cr-21-HES-SJH. (MDC) (Entered: 07/08/2024)
07/09/2024	47	Case as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter Reassigned to Magistrate Judge Samuel J. Horovitz. New case number: 3:23-cr-21-HES-SJH. Magistrate Judge J. B. Toomey no longer assigned to the case. (JNB) (Entered: 07/09/2024)
08/19/2024	48	MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) (Entered: 08/19/2024)
08/21/2024	49	ORDER granting 48 Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2). Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 10/7/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 9/18/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 8/21/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 08/21/2024)
09/06/2024	50	Unopposed Joint MOTION to Continue trial by Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) Modified docket text on 9/9/2024 (EVK). (Entered: 09/06/2024)
09/12/2024	51	ORDER granting 50 Defendants' Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 11/4/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 10/23/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 9/10/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 09/12/2024)
10/17/2024	52	Joint MOTION to Continue trial by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Corsmeier, Arnold) (Entered: 10/17/2024)
10/18/2024	53	ORDER granting 52 United States' Unopposed Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 12/2/2024 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 11/20/2024 at 1:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 10/17/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 10/18/2024)
11/18/2024	54	NOTICE OF HEARING as to Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter: Guilty Plea Hearing set for 11/26/2024 at 02:30 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 5 A before Magistrate Judge Samuel J. Horovitz. (TSP) (Entered: 11/18/2024)
11/18/2024	55	Joint MOTION to Continue trial by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Corsmeier, Arnold) (Entered: 11/18/2024)
11/19/2024	56	ORDER granting 55 United States' Joint Motion to Continue Trial as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2) Jury Trial set for trial term commencing 1/6/2025 at 9:30 AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Status Conference set for 12/18/2024 at 4:00 PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 11/18/2024. (TPL) (Entered: 11/19/2024)
11/26/2024	57	Minute Entry for In Person proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Samuel J. Horovitz: GUILTY PLEA HEARING as to Travis Morgan Slaughter and Tripp Charles Slaughter held on 11/26/2024. (Digital) (TSP) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
11/26/2024	58	CONSENT regarding entry of a plea of guilty as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (TSP) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
11/26/2024	60	PLEA AGREEMENT re: count(s) One and Two of the Indictment as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (Filed in Open Court, original plea agreement returned to AUSA) (TSP) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
11/26/2024	62	REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS Concerning Plea of Guilty re: count(s) One and Two of the Indictment as to Travis Morgan Slaughter. Signed by Magistrate Judge Samuel J. Horovitz on 11/26/2024. (TSP) (Entered: 11/26/2024)
12/04/2024	65	ACCEPTANCE OF PLEA of guilty and adjudication of guilt re: count(s) One and Two of the Indictment as to Travis Morgan Slaughter. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 12/3/2024. (Sentencing set for 3/12/2025 at 1:00PM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger.) (TPL) (Entered: 12/04/2024)
02/26/2025	71	Consent MOTION for a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter. (Harrington, Jennifer) Modified text on 2/27/2025 (BD). (Entered: 02/26/2025)
03/06/2025	75	Unopposed MOTION to Continue Sentencing Hearing by USA as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. (Corsmeier, Arnold) (Entered: 03/06/2025)
03/10/2025	76	ORDER granting 75 United States' Unopposed Motion to Continue Sentencing Hearing as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Tripp Charles Slaughter (2). Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 03/07/2025. (CKS) (Entered: 03/10/2025)
03/10/2025	77	NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING HEARING: The Sentencing hearing previously scheduled for 03/12/2025 is rescheduled as to Travis Morgan Slaughter, Tripp Charles Slaughter. New hearing date and time: Sentencing set for 3/19/2025 at 10:00AM in Jacksonville Courtroom 10 C before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger. (CKS) (Entered: 03/10/2025)
03/14/2025	80	NOTICE of Letters of Support by Travis Morgan Slaughter. (Komando, Richard) Modified text on 3/14/2025 (GL). (Entered: 03/14/2025)
03/19/2025	84	Minute Entry for In Person proceedings held before Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger: SENTENCING held on 3/19/2025 for Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Count(s) 1, 2, Imprisonment: 41 months. This term consists of a 41-month term as to Count 1 and a 41-month term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Supervised Release: 3 years. This term consists of a 3-year term as to Count 1 and a 3-year term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Special Assessment: $200.00; Restitution: $9,989,093.54, payable to Builders Mutual Insurance Company ($1,548,631.50), SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Inc. ($1,671,849.72) and the Internal Revenue Service ($6,768,612.32.); Forfeiture: The defendant shall forfeit to the United States the following assets: $2,780,947.56.; Count(s) 16-18, 3-15, Dismissed pursuant to the Plea Agreement and on the government's motion. Court Reporter: Heather Randall (TPL) (Entered: 03/19/2025)
03/19/2025	85	JUDGMENT as to Travis Morgan Slaughter (1), Count(s) 1, 2, Imprisonment: 41 months. This term consists of a 41-month term as to Count 1 and a 41-month term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Supervised Release: 3 years. This term consists of a 3-year term as to Count 1 and a 3-year term as to Count 2, all such terms to run concurrently; Special Assessment: $200.00; Restitution: $9,989,093.54, payable to Builders Mutual Insurance Company ($1,548,631.50), SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Inc. ($1,671,849.72) and the Internal Revenue Service ($6,768,612.32); Forfeiture: The defendant shall forfeit to the United States the following assets: $2,780,947.56; Count(s) 16-18, 3-15, Dismissed pursuant to the Plea Agreement and on the government's motion. Signed by Senior Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger on 3/19/2025. (TPL) (Entered: 03/19/2025)