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Orlando, Florida Man Convicted of Conspiracy and Honest Services Fraud
A federal jury in Orlando, Florida has found Michael C. Shirley, a 40-year-old man from Austin, Texas, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and four counts of honest services fraud.
According to the evidence presented at trial, in 2016 Shirley served as the campaign manager for former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. In 2017, on his first day in public office, Greenberg caused the tax collector’s office to enter into a lucrative consulting contract with Shirley’s newly formed company, Praetorian Integrated Services LLC, which provided Shirley with $12,500 each month for the performance of “consulting services.”
In fact, Shirley did little to no work for the tax collector’s office under the contract each month. Additionally, Shirley began submitting grossly inflated invoices to the tax collector’s office for printing services.
Shirley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31, 2023. In total, Shirley defrauded Seminole County taxpayers out of more than $634,000.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda S. Daniels and Chauncey A. Bratt.
A previous middleman, Joseph Ellicott, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for his role in the bribery and kickback payment.
Shirley’s scheme was uncovered after Ellicott pleaded guilty and began cooperating with investigators, leading to Shirley’s indictment on August 10, 2022.
Shirley’s conviction is a significant blow to public corruption in Seminole County, and serves as a reminder that those who engage in such schemes will be held accountable for their crimes.
Michael C. Shirley, a resident of Austin, Texas, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and four counts of honest services fraud.
Shirley faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count, totaling 80 years. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31, 2023.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The indictment was announced by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.
Shirley defrauded Seminole County taxpayers out of more than $634,000.
Shirley was the campaign manager for former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.
He was indicted on August 10, 2022.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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