Tallahassee Businessman Scott Maddox Sentenced to Five Years for Federal Corruption
The former mayor and city commissioner of Tallahassee, Scott Maddox, along with business partner and longtime girlfriend Paige Carter-Smith, learned their fate last week after their role in a deeply-rooted bribery scheme that plagued the local government. Maddox had been a long-time political figure in the city, and Carter-Smith had acted as Maddox’s political consultant.
The charges against the duo stem from a 2015 FBI probe of corruption as it related to Andrew Gillum’s campaign for state governor. Following the investigation, Maddox and Carter-Smith were indicted in 2018 for bribery-related charges. The two-faced a 44-count indictment which detailed charges including bank fraud, bribery, extortion, and making false statements to financial institutions.
According to prosecutors, Maddox, with the help of Carter-Smith, operated a pay-to-play scheme that took bribes from local businesses in exchange for votes that furthered the interest of said businesses and Maddox himself. Through a consulting company named Governance, the duo was paid to vote in favor of different groups who would lobby City Hall. Early on into the investigation, Maddox defended Governance and what was later discovered to be their shady dealings, calling the claims “untrue.”
In 2019, the pair pled guilty to two counts of honest services fraud and one count of conspiring to interfere with the IRS. They also agreed to cooperate with authorities in an effort to reduce what could have been up to 20 years of prison time each. As a result of their cooperation, Maddox has been sentenced to five years behind bars, while Carter-Smith will serve two years. The duo has also been ordered to pay restitution. Maddox and Carter-Smith were ordered by the court to pay restitution in the amounts of $76,763 and $115,619, respectively. Also, the pair were ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment totaling $70,000.
As part of their cooperation, the pair agreed to “fully and truthfully” share their knowledge and take the stand against another co-defendant, John “J.T.” Burnette. Burnette, who was a local businessman and hotelier, was found guilty on five counts, including extortion, but was acquitted on four other counts, including racketeering.
During his sentencing, Maddox appeared to show remorse and take responsibility for his actions. "This is my fault," Maddox shared with the court. "It was wrong. Most of all I hurt the city I loved and dedicated my life to and brought a black mark to it. That's my responsibility. I'll never get over it. All I can say is I'm sorry and whatever's left of my life, I hope to God to do good for others."
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle handed down what some called lenient sentencing after taking into consideration the “substantial assistance” Maddox and Carter-Smith provided against Burnette and the cooperation they offered investigators. Hinkle stressed the severity of the crime explaining, "One real problem with bribery ... is it undermines confidence, it undermines faith in the system." Hinkle adds, "It calls into question the motives of those who have gone into public service for the right reasons."
Following the sentencing, Acting U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida shared in a statement, “Our citizens deserve and expect that their elected representatives will honor their oath - acting in the public’s interest, rather than accepting bribes and payments out of fear or favor. Today’s sentences acknowledge betrayal of the public trust, the resulting erosion of confidence in our democratic process, and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would seek to illegally profit from public service.”
