Fight Against Condo Fraud Heightens

An article in the Miami Herald that appeared on Saturday, April 16, reported that more than 250 South Florida condo residents teamed up to march against condo fraud last week.  The protestors, who marched on the streets of Doral, demanded that authorities reform condo laws in order to prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of their communities.  The protest included residents from several areas in Miami-Dade County, including Kendall, North Miami Beach and Aventura, as well as from Broward County.

Our firm has been very active in spotlighting this growing problem throughout the years in this blog and in our complimentary educational seminars for association directors, members and managers.  Recently, firm partner Roberto C. Blanch authored an article that appeared in the op-ed page of the Herald calling for greater law enforcement and regulatory efforts to combat association fraud.  Roberto wrote:

Florida is the state with the most community associations in the country, with more than 47,000, and it has now become imperative for the state’s lawmakers, regulators and law enforcement agencies to change their collective mindset in their approach toward combating community association fraud, theft and embezzlement.

The millions of Florida residents who live in properties with community associations should raise their voices in a call for the state to enhance the authority and resources of both the Department of Business & Professional Regulation and the white collar crime units of the state attorney’s offices.  They should also demand stricter penalties and tougher laws against this type of fraud, and should work closely with the state’s regulators and law enforcement to help ensure that their investigations and enforcement actions are as effective as possible.

Those who are interested in receiving educational materials or attending a seminar on how community associations can avoid becoming a victim of fraud, theft or embezzlement are encouraged to contact us via email at sbonilla@siegfriedrivera.com.  Click here to read Roberto’s complete article in the newspaper’s website.