Some of the biggest names in South Florida’s real estate industry are headed to court in 2023 over troubling allegations.
In some cases, plaintiffs sought to expose shady relationships between developers and Miami city elected officials who allegedly tended to circumvent ethical boundaries. One of the most prominent is Rishi Kapoor, the disgraced founder of Coral Gables-based Location Ventures, who left the company amid an avalanche of lawsuits against him and the company.
Other legal skirmishes featured prominent real estate executives Stephanie Shojei and Patrick Carroll, who faced charges of defaming those they clashed with and portraying themselves in a positive light. And in probate court, the Robins brothers of the Miami Beach real estate dynasty are battling over the assets of their late patriarch, Gerald “Jerry” Robbins.
Below are South Florida’s 10 most profitable lawsuits as reported by. genuine 2023:
Wynwood restaurateur Patrick Carroll sued
In April, Miguel Ángel Weil suffered the humiliation of having Carroll, who sold his eponymous multifamily property management company for $80 million over the summer, allegedly spit in his face. is. A defamation lawsuit filed in June alleges that Carroll defamed Mr. Weil, the manager of a Japanese restaurant in Wynwood, by falsely accusing him of trying to blackmail him. Carroll has denied spitting in Weil’s face, and the case is still pending.
The battle over Jerry Robbins’ fortune
In June, Miami Beach broker Stacey Robbins filed a legal battle for ownership of her late father’s property against her brother Gina Robbins and developers Craig Robbins and Scott Robbins. started. In a court filing, Stacy Robbins accused her late father’s sister and two brothers of trying to exclude about $6 million from the final tally of his late father’s assets. In October, Craig, Gina, and Scott Robbins appointed an “independent conservator” to sort out what assets of Jerry Robbins should be included in the distribution plan in his will. A petition was filed seeking appointment.
Rishi Kapoor, former CFO of Location Ventures, reveals
In May, Greg Brooks made a bombshell that ousted Kapoor from his status as a rising star in South Florida real estate. In his lawsuit against Location Ventures, Mr. Brooks, the company’s former chief financial officer, accused Mr. Kapoor of several wrongdoings, most notably Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, for an explanation. He was hired as a personal consultant with a monthly salary of $10,000 for a non-profit role. In response to the charges, Location Ventures acknowledged Suarez’s arrangement, but said the mayor’s side job was promoting Location Ventures outside of Miami. Brooks and his Location Ventures settled the lawsuit, but new civil lawsuits against the company and Kapoor soon followed. Location Ventures has now appointed receivers and is selling all of its assets. Mr. Kapoor left the company in July as he faces a criminal investigation.
Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla continue campaign against Miami officials
Following the $63.5 million verdict obtained against Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo for persistent harassment of Little Havana developers Bill Fuller and Martin Pinilla and their businesses. , Mr. Fuller and Mr. Pinilla targeted city officials. In November, the two filed a new federal lawsuit against Carollo, the city and nine Miami government officials, including City Manager Arthur Noriega and City Attorney Victoria Mendez. Mr. Fuller and Mr. Pinilla are seeking more than $60 million in damages, alleging a targeted harassment campaign that shut down their business and resulted in unlawful violations of property rights.
Ex-wife sues Shojae and current wife Shojae
Shoma Group co-founder Maria Lamas and her daughters Anelise Shojaee and Lilibet Shojaee don’t appreciate Shoma president Stephanie Shojaee saying bad things about them during a podcast. did. In February, Ms. Lamas and her children sued Stephanie Shojai, who is married to Ms. Lamas’ ex-husband and another Shoma co-founder, Masoud Shojai, for defamation. The three claimed that the current Mrs. Shoje made false statements about them during a podcast interview last December. In October, Stephanie Shojei, Lamas and their two daughters entered into a confidential settlement agreement and the lawsuit was dismissed, according to court records.
Hammock receiver targets former HOA attorney
David Gersten, the court-appointed trustee of the Hammock Community Association, a homeowners association at the center of one of the largest criminal fraud cases involving an HOA, is the lawyer who allegedly aided and abetted the scheme. I set my sights on. Mr. Gersten filed a lawsuit against the law firm Lasco Kroc Perez & Nieto and partner Hilton Napoleon II, as well as the law firm Herbert Radames Alfaro Berta Alfaro & Fernandez and its attorney Yudani Fernandez. . The current lawsuit seeks $9 million in damages.
Parents of injured teen boy sue commercial broker George Pino
George Pino, president of Doral-based State Street Realty, is under fire after an alleged boating accident over Labor Day weekend last year. In addition to the criminal charges, Pino and his wife are also being sued by the parents of Caterina Sofia Pucci, a 17-year-old girl on the boat who was permanently disabled. 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez also died in the accident. The injured boy’s parents, Cassia Fernando Puig and Rodolfo Fernando Puig, claim that Pino had been drinking alcohol and provided alcohol to the boys on the boat he was driving.
Lobbyist accuses Miami commissioner of shakedown
In September, lobbyist and former state Rep. Manny Puliguez was charged with civil charges of extortion, conspiracy, and attempted bribery against then-Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla and two of his aides, Humberto “Bart” ” Hernandez and Anibel Duarte-Viera were sued. Pridges said the trio recruited him and his client, Abad Merwani, to include Duarte Vieira as a partner in the team vying for a new city contract to build a new marina on city-owned land on Virginia Key. He claims he participated in a plan to coerce him. Pliguez claims that although the extortion attempt failed, Díaz de la Portilla subsequently waged a campaign to damage Pliguez’s lobbying efforts. The lawsuit is still pending. Díaz de la Portilla lost reelection last month after being indicted on multiple felonies stemming from an unrelated public corruption investigation.
Sutter & Nugent alleges trade secret theft
Palm Beach Gardens-based brokerage firm Sutter & Nugent accuses two former agents, Matthew Moser and Nicholas Gonzalez, and rival firm Serhant Florida of engaging in corporate fraud. did. Sutter & Nugent filed suit in May, alleging the broker stole trade secrets and breached its contract. The complaint accuses Moser and Gonzalez of recruiting staff and agents to join Serhant, as well as using confidential marketing data and stealing listings initiated or secured through Sutter & Nugent. The lawsuit is still pending.
Suffolk County and Jules Trump continue to battle over Sunny Isles Beach plan
After settling an earlier lawsuit over the long-delayed and recently completed construction of the property at Acucarina in Sunny Isles Beach, Suffolk Construction has reignited its legal battle with developer Jules Trump. The general contractor filed an amended complaint in February adding an additional $5 million for unpaid work on the two-tower condominium project. Mr. Trump is seeking approximately $50 million in damages from Mr. Suffolk. The company also claims that Trump tried to poach development employees. Both cases are still pending.