Reform Florida/ Reforma Florida

Husband and wife take plea deals in massive Hammocks HOA theft case

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/husband-and-wife-take-plea-deals-in-massive-hammocks-hoa-theft-case/ar-AA227rBb?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Under her deal, Gallego was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by seven years of probation.

Gonzalez was given seven years of probation and must pay a $50,000 restitution and forfeit a $1.2 million home.

https://www.msn.com/es-us/noticias/Miami/matrimonio-acepta-acuerdos-de-culpabilidad-en-caso-de-robo-masivo-en-asociaci%C3%B3n-de-propietarios-en-the-hammocks/ar-AA226UEm

Husband and wife take plea deals in massive Hammocks HOA theft case A former president of the Hammocks Home Owners Association and her husband have accepted plea deals in connection with the alleged massive theft of funds from the HOA. Former Hammocks HOA President Marglli Gallego and her husband, Jose Antonio Gonzalez, accepted the deals at a hearing on Thursday. U...

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https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/04/10/miami-dade-condo-building-manager-accused-of-soliciting-accepting-kickback-payments/

Miami-Dade condo building manager accused of soliciting, accepting kickback payments A Miami-Dade condo building manager was arrested Thursday on multiple charges, authorities announced.

Florida Rep. Juan Porras pushes HOA overhaul with bill creating specialized courts, allowing dissolutions
Article Courtesy of Florida's Voice
By Frank Kopylov
Published December 15, 2025

TALLAHASSEE — Frustrated by widespread complaints of unaccountable homeowners associations acting like “mini governments,” Florida Rep. Juan Porras has filed legislation aimed at empowering residents through a new court system and the option to dissolve dysfunctional HOAs.

HB 657, introduced by the Miami Republican, would eliminate mandatory pre-suit mediation for disputes, establish a community association court program in each judicial circuit and set procedures for terminating HOAs that fail to serve their communities. The bill, which Porras told Florida’s Voice draws from constituent stories of abuse and neglect, is set to take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Porras described the bill as a response to “the overall lack of enforcement of our state laws, and just the complete disregard for any type of accountability or oversight” in HOAs across Florida. He cited conversations with residents and legal experts that highlighted barriers to justice, including delays and frustrations in existing processes.

“I’ve heard overwhelmingly from constituents and from people in the legal community that all this pre-suit mediation would do was to create a bureaucratic barrier between people getting real solutions for their problems,” Porras said. “People would either get delayed in court or delayed through the agency […] In many cases, people would get frustrated.”

Homes on the water with docks in Miami Beach

The bill removes those mediation requirements, which Porras said often benefit lawyers and stall resolutions. Instead, it mandates that HOAs include a statement in their governing documents acknowledging the new court program’s authority, or hold a meeting by a specified date to vote on amendments. Arbitration proceedings would be handled by designated arbitrators, and disputes could be escalated to the community association courts.

Porras emphasized that the issue isn’t abandoned associations but rather those where leaders are “completely derelict to their duties,” such as funneling money or abusing power.

“These HOAs act like essentially mini governments,” he said. “And until now, there’s been no real way to hold them accountable.”

The community association court program would be funded through reallocations from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s appropriations. Each judicial circuit’s chief judge would oversee the program, which has jurisdiction over HOA-related matters and authority to enforce rulings. Circuits must submit annual reports to the Legislature by Oct. 1 each year, with the Office of the State Courts Administrator providing support.

Porras predicted the bill’s biggest impact would be behavioral, HOAs realizing residents can haul them before a judge or special magistrate for violations like withholding records or mismanaging funds.

“Once people and once homeowner associations realize that homeowners have the power to take up their issues […] whether it’s the HOA not complying with state law, or not providing records, or not doing the job that they were elected to do, they’re going to have to explain to a judge, or explain to a court why it is that they’re doing so,” he said. “People will see a much more accountable and a much more transparent community association across the state.”

The legislation comes amid growing scrutiny of HOAs in Florida, where millions of residents live under such governance. Porras, representing parts of Miami-Dade County, said the reforms stem from district-wide and statewide feedback, positioning the bill as a “big” step toward reform.

How to inquire or complain on suspicious activities at Your Condo for free

Contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Florida condominium law explicitly allows unit owners to make copies of official records. Owners have the right to inspect records and obtain copies, though the association may charge the actual cost of preparing and furnishing those copies DBPR.

📜 Florida Statute 718.111(12) – Owner Rights

Under Florida Statute 718.111(12):

• Unit owners have the right to inspect official records of the condominium association.
• Owners may request and obtain copies of those records.
• Associations must maintain records for at least 7 years and keep them organized for inspection.
• Copies can be provided at the reasonable expense of the owner, meaning the association may charge only its actual costs (e.g., paper, printing, staff time).

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The most significant component in any condominium or HOA document is the Association's lien authority. If assessments go unpaid, the Association has the statutory and document-based right to place a lien on your property and potentially foreclose on that lien. Appreciate the power the Association has to assess against your property, and the rights they hold if you don't pay those assessments. Ignorance of these documents is not a defense.

Guess What? She also works at First Service Residential!

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