guest blog by Deborah Goonan
Would you be comfortable living in a condo where the Manager, arrested for theft and forgery, remains employed and in charge of your condo association’s $1.2 million budget? What would you think if you discovered your Association’s payroll includes at least two other unlicensed professional staff members that have been convicted of crimes, including stealing $400,000 from another condominium association?
Would you be spooked if you returned home one day to discover your new stainless steel kitchen appliances have mysteriously disappeared, and, in their place, someone installed old beat-up appliances?
Residents at Kennedy House condominium in North Bay Village (FL) are dealing with this nightmare. They tell Channel 10’s Bob Norman that even the local police chief has been unhelpful. North Bay Village Manager has recently fired that police chief and now promises to see to it that there is a full investigation of reported crimes.
Kennedy House is a renovated 1950s-era building in North Bay Village, a man-made island in the Biscayne Bay near Miami, featuring 1 and 2 bedroom units with sweeping water views. It’s the kind of Paradise northerners dream about, especially after a brutal winter like this season.
A search of recent listings reveals that Kennedy house condos are priced “affordably” under $250,000. Unit owners currently pay $400-$600 per month in Association fees.
Ouch. And just how much of that was squandered or stolen? That is yet to be fully investigated.
It seems both Florida and Nevada definitely rise to the top of the list for corruption in HOA Land. Folks, these reports are published daily. It’s getting to the point where it’s hard to choose which one(s) to blog about.
(link to TV news story uncovering corruption)
(accused felons: they’re back on the job!)
