Affidavit of Andrew J. DeSilva by Daniel Joseph Tisone — USA v. Tisone (Dkt. 89, M.D. Fla. No. 2:22-mj-01043, docketed in No. 2:22-cr-00039)

Record facts

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida · No. 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM · Doc. 89 · 2023-02-19 · Docket on CourtListener

Full text

Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 1 of 12 PageID 630

Project SAFE: Strategies Aimed at Family Empowerment 
635 S Washington St 
Alexandria VA 22314 
www.projectsafe4u.com 
 
To Whom It May Concern: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2023 
 
I am writing on behalf of Daniel Tisone. I have known Daniel since he was 16 years old. Daniel 
has Attention Deficit Disorder, combined type ICD-10 F90.2 which greatly effected his ability to 
do well in school. He was an athlete which helped him feel successful. However, his father 
never understood the disorder and often yelled and harshly punished Daniel. Daniel’s father 
was an inconsistent parent who used anger and conditional love as motivators. Daniel vowed to 
be different from his father and his abusive parenting style. 
 
Daniel started college at Hofstra playing lacrosse. This did not end well due to his inability to 
focus, difficulty with organization and time management, and his impulsivity in decision 
making. All of these unmanaged ADD traits created challenges that impeded his academic 
success. Later on, due to life circumstances and poor decisions, Daniel developed Post 
Traumatic Stress Disorder ICD-10 F43.12.  
 
Daniel has always been an out of the box creative thinker with a heart toward people. He is 
always looking to lift people up especially anyone he employs. Since Daniel did not complete his 
degree, it was a priority for him to continue. When he came back to Virginia his great desire 
was to finish his college education. He advocated and work hard to get himself into The Catholic 
University. Furthermore, he was a guest speaker in a High School Boys Therapy Group at Project 
SAFE to share his story with other troubled teens, many of whom also had ADD. Daniel did such 
a great job that he continued to volunteer at Project SAFE attending the weekly therapy group 
as an “older” mentor to these boys. He openly gave of himself.  
 
Dan got into Catholic and was finally able to complete his education with a business degree. 
After he graduated, he tried to find the right job. There were numerous rejections and 
disappointments but this path led him to open his own business. This was where Daniel thrived. 
His creative mind coupled with his fantastic managerial style opened doors. Daniel felt he was 
finally making his way. Then COVID-19 hit. This devastated his business and the people who 
worked for him. COVID was the unexpected disaster of our century. Many people suffered loss, 
emotional distress and fear of the future. Now that things are turning a corner for the better, 
Daniel’s hope is to continue to forge his path forward in order to take care of his family. 
 
I hope this letter sheds some light on who Daniel Tisone is, a truly remarkable human being. 
 
 
Warm Regard, 
Gayle Alexander LPC, ACS, MA 
VA # 0701004236 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 2 of 12 PageID 631

 
 
December 26, 2022 
RE: Daniel Trisone 
 
To Whom it May Concern, 
 
I was asked if I would be willing to write a letter of reference for Daniel based on my experiences with 
him on a professional level.  As a college professor for three universities  I have and do work with a lot of 
people from many walks of life and diversities which has made me a good judge of character.  I have 
been told by my colleagues that I have six sense to peoples characteristics and ethics. 
 I first met Daniel about 2 years ago when I was contracted to remove some dead trees, broken down 
fence from hurricane Erma. We discussed the scope of what started out to be simple and straight 
forward, turned into more than we agreed upon because of unforeseen rocks and trash.  I ask Daniel to 
meet on site and discuss the required changes, he did.  He was understanding and explained he wasn’t 
looking for anything extra from me just a complete job. 
  He proceeded to tell me about his parking garage charging stations business and how COVID was taking 
a toll on his business with the forced stay at home mandate by CDC which is why we he now doing home 
renovations in an effort to keep things going and hopefully transition his business model to house 
flipping as Naples is a prime market to do this. 
We continued our scope of work as agreed, while our deadline for completion approached we has to 
work on Sunday to finish the job for Monday so the sprinkler people and lawn crew could finish the 
yard.  At the end of the day Daniel was happy with the job and appreciate the added time and effort to 
keep the scheduled finish date by working Sunday.  He bought me lunch an we spent time talking about 
everything and nothing, and I got to know Daniel as a person.  
Daniel is a man of integrity, honesty and ethics; he had a few opportunities to hold me to our written 
agreement which would have saved him money, instead he said,” he  respects a business that stands by 
their word and appreciation for an honest days work” and how a lot of people would walk off the job 
and we didn’t.  I observed Daniel with other workers and his MO was always the same, above board, 
honest and ethical.  I  interacted with Daniel over several  weeks and feel in my heard he is a man of 
strong character which to this day trust Daniel inexplicably. 
 
Sincerely 
 
Grant Brosseau 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 3 of 12 PageID 632

Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 4 of 12 PageID 633

January 22, 2023 
 
 
Your Honorable Sheri Polster Chappell 
Middle District of Florida 
Re:  Sentencing of Daniel Joseph Tisone, Case #:  2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM 
 
 
Your Honor: 
 
I am writing on behalf of my son, Daniel Tisone, and appealing to you for clemency on his behalf 
but, more importantly on behalf of his baby boy, Joseph, and his fiancée Samantha Leigh. 
 
The past year has been grueling.  Since his arrest last year, we have had much time to talk and 
reflect on how events unfolded and I want you to know that Daniel is truly remorseful and 
accepts responsibility for his actions, ashamed of how his choices affected those he loves.   
Covid was a crazy time worldwide and created a sense of fear and doom with everyone staying 
in their homes, people dying, empty streets, businesses destroyed and more – it was an 
unprecedented time worldwide and it went on for years.  In Northern Virginia, where I live, I 
can remember being alone in my house crying about what was going to happen.  Pure fear.  The 
effects of Covid are still being felt, 3 years later.   
 
Daniel’s father left the family when Daniel was 11 months old and his sister was three.  I raised 
my children as a single mom – their father did not ask for custody, so they never stayed with 
him.  Visitations were allowed; however, their father was and is an angry man and that temper 
was on display whenever the kids spent time with him.  As the kids got older, their time with 
him became increasingly difficult.  He would drop them off at a park and sit in his car while they 
played, lose his temper and belittle them, or criticize me to them.  His temper would flare, and 
the kids would jump out of his car when he threw a punch – there were so many traumatizing 
experiences.  I never share this information, but I feel it had an influence on Daniel.  When 
Daniel wanted to play lacrosse for Hofstra, his father replied, “No son of mine would go to 
Hofstra, a son of mine would only go to Harvard.”  There were constant put downs and 
comparisons and Daniel always came up short.  Daniel had ADHD and was in constant motion – 
his father decided there is no such thing as ADHD, therefore Daniel just needed to sit still.  I am 
not a psychiatrist, but it was clear that, through the years, Daniel wanted his father’s approval 
even into adulthood.  Even when a parent treats a child badly, there is a phenomenon where 
the child has a connection and wants that parent’s approval.  Daniel never received that 
approval from his father. 
 
I know the best of Daniel and tell him I am proud of him.  He has made some major mistakes 
but still perseveres and works hard to improve himself and those around him.  He is kind to 
everyone – when he is home, he visits a former neighbor who is 86 and brings her flowers and 
cookies.  Daniel has enjoyed counseling troubled youth who respond to him better than they do 
a therapist.  He works harder and longer than anyone else – a neighbor used to say he would 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 5 of 12 PageID 634

pick Daniel to be stranded on an island with him because Daniel worked so hard and was willing 
to put in the effort in every situation.   
 
Daniel is now a father and his son has changed his life.  He is on high alert for a dirty binky, a 
cold bedroom, a just-right bath temperature and a million other perceived dangers.  The best 
part of Daniel’s day is reading to Joseph.  His son has made him a better man and the love is so 
apparent.  I don’t want for my grandson to be without that pivotal figure in his life, his father.   
Daniel’s fiancée is an answer to my prayers as a partner for my son.  She is a good, good woman 
with her head on straight, has strong values and morals and speaks her mind when needed with 
my son.  They make a great team and wonderful parents together.   
 
Your Honor, you have an awesome challenge in your role as judge.  My letter doesn’t begin to 
convey what I would like to say about my son and I appreciate you taking the time to read this.  
I respectfully ask that sentencing reflect how Daniel can best use his talents to help others – 
which would help him - rather than sit idle in a jail costing taxpayers much money.  His 
punishment will be lifelong – it wouldn’t end with a jail sentence.  Daniel will continue to be 
humiliated, rejected, and judged by many for the rest of his life.   
 
Sincerely, 
 
 
 
Doreen Tisone 
Daniel’s mother 
doetisone@gmail.com 
703.485.4878 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 6 of 12 PageID 635

Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 7 of 12 PageID 636

To whom it may concern, 
     I met Daniel soon after moving to Southwest Florida, through mutual friends. Soon after 
learning I was a contractor; I began helping him out with some of his residential renovations on 
the homes he owned.  
     I referred sub-contractors and laborers to his projects to help him with the different parts of 
the construction process. Some of those laborers were likely undocumented, but most required 
cash payments for their labor, which is not uncommon in the construction industry. Daniel 
hired painters, drywallers, demolition, and stucco crews for his projects in 2020 and 2021, 
paying the majority of them in cash. 
    Daniel and I began a renovation project a few months ago in Naples. Upon learning of 
Daniel’s charges, the homeowner no longer allowed him to be apart of the project, without 
giving him a chance to explain the situation. I did not believe the consequence was fair, 
considering he had gone far out of his way to help the customer. He has also referred me to 
other projects, not wanting to be involved because the negative press could affect the 
relationship and trust with the customer.  
    I have spent a lot of time with Daniel and his family, and have bare witness to the amount of 
stress and anguish this situation has brought on him, and Samantha. As someone in the 
construction industry that understands the situation, as someone who has witnessed Daniel’s 
work ethic, and as a father like Daniel, I hope that he is given mercy and an opportunity for 
redemption.  
  Regards, 
-
Matthew Parish
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 8 of 12 PageID 637

Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 9 of 12 PageID 638

Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 10 of 12 PageID 639

November 7. 2022 
Honorable Sheri Polster Chappell 
Middle District of Florida 
THE CATHOLIC 
UNIVERSITY 
OFAMERICA 
Re: sentencing of Daniel Joseph Tisone, Case#: 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM 
Your Honor: 
I am writing with regard to Daniel Joseph Tisone. Daniel was my student six years ago, in 2016, 
when he was pursuing his Bachelors degree in Business Administration at The Catholic 
University of America. During that time, I came to know Daniel as an intelligent and positive 
person. He actually started his company RubaDub during his time as a student, and as I was his 
entrepreneurship professor, I advised him early on in his endeavor. In my observation of 
Daniel, he was a person of character. I was especially impressed by his concern for others. He 
volunteered to help other students, agreed to get involved in our extracurricular activities as the 
owner of a startup business after he graduated, and in general approached others with an 
attitude of cheerful helpfulness and sincerity. While I did not have access to his overall academic 
performance, I can say that he excelled in my classes and behaved himself honorably and 
always looked out for others during the semester. 
I learned with great joy that he has recently become a dad, but also, painfully, that he was 
facing the charges that are now in front of you. While it is not my place nor competence to 
speak of the situation you have to decide on, I would like to put in a good word for Daniel and 
for his little son. 
I always thought that Daniel would become a great dad. He exemplified the behaviors I believe 
are so important in a good dad: a good character, readiness to sacrifice for others, the ability to 
show vulnerability, and most importantly the readiness to commit and to love. As a professor, 
I've observed over the years how often the students in my classes who struggle with their 
studies and struggle with life in general also have absent fathers. Absent fatherhood is 
unfortunately a vicious cycle that often repeats itself, and it's painful to watch, as I'm sure I don't 
have to tell you. I would therefore like to plea for leniency on behalf of Daniel, whom I've known 
to be a good person, but most especially on behalf of his son, that he get to have his father, 
Daniel, present as he grows up. 
Respectfully yours, 
,A.~~ 
Andreas Widmer 
Professor of Entrepreneurship 
620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington. DC 20064 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 11 of 12 PageID 640

1/23/23 
 
BY ELECTRONIC MAIL 
 
Re: Daniel Tisone 
 
To Whom It May Concern, 
 
I met Daniel when he applied to the venture capital firm, where I was working, for his startup company, 
RUB A DUB, around 2018-2019.  When I initially met with him, he divulged his past to me and was 
forthcoming regarding his criminal conviction as a teenager. 
  
My background is in finance, though my family owns, operates, and manages commercial real estate 
buildings in the Washington, DC area. Based on our conversations at the time, Daniel’s company, RUB A 
DUB, was operating from several of my family’s properties through a partnership with a parking 
management company in the DMV. 
 
Based on my conversations with Daniel, Covid made his business hard to operate rendering the business 
plan unviable, as few people were parking in office building parking lots, who would be potential 
customers for RUB A DUB. 
 
Furthermore, when the Akridge real estate company was issued a subpoena, Andy Pace, the company’s 
general counsel, approached the entire senior management staff at the company, who could have had 
knowledge of RUB A DUB performing services within Akridge’s buildings.  He received replies from all of 
the senior management that they had no knowledge of Daniel or RUB A DUB, hence Andy Pace’s letter 
was accurate.  My business is separate and apart from the Akridge real estate business, so he had no 
reason to come to me at the time.  Most importantly, the relationships that Daniel relayed to me were 
with the parking companies themselves and not the Akridge real estate company, so it is entirely 
understandable that Akridge real estate company employees would not have heard of Daniel or RUB A 
DUB.   
 
All in all, I believe Daniel to be a good person with good intentions.  I hope for the best for him. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
William Akridge 
Case 2:22-cr-00039-SPC-NPM     Document 89     Filed 02/19/23     Page 12 of 12 PageID 641

File and source

File

gov.uscourts.flmd.401005.89.0.pdf

Size

2,782,598 bytes

SHA-256

a70bf86f0ab3935d435e824d1767fd37fdfd308726cfdd6b3d1735188f0bcab7

Our copy

gov.uscourts.flmd.401005.89.0.pdf

Original

PACER (login required)