Miami-Dade County, Florida – On Thursday, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle took to the podium to reveal the most recent arrest made in the ongoing investigation surrounding the Hammocks Community Association. As one of Florida’s largest Homeowners Associations (HOAs), this case has garnered significant attention.
Residents are frustrated and demanding accountability as the ongoing probe has revealed years of alleged financial mismanagement, theft, and corruption.
Authorities made an arrest on Thursday, apprehending Ivan Diez, a 58-year-old relative of multiple board members. Diez stands accused of being heavily involved in the fraudulent activities. He allegedly established a shell company and issued invoices to the HOA for services that were never actually rendered.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle revealed that Diez played a role in a larger plot to embezzle funds from the association responsible for managing the Hammocks community, which is home to numerous residents.
“He charged for the cleanup following a hurricane,” Fernandez Rundle revealed. “But there was no actual hurricane.”
The HOA has been the subject of numerous allegations of financial impropriety, and Diez’s arrest represents the most recent development in that investigation. The inquiry gained momentum following numerous complaints from homeowners who alleged that the association’s leaders mismanaged funds and embezzled money intended for the upkeep of the community’s properties.
In November 2022, the investigation gained widespread attention as five HOA officials faced charges for multiple financial crimes. These charges included racketeering, money laundering, and grand theft.
According to authorities, these individuals are accused of embezzling millions of dollars from the association. They allegedly funneled the money into personal accounts and fake companies, all while neglecting the essential maintenance of the Hammocks community.
Kevin Leonardo Alzate, 32, the cousin of former homeowners association president Marglli Gallego, was also arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in December. He is now facing charges of perjury, fabricating physical evidence, and resisting an officer without violence.
Gallego, along with Monica Ghilardi, Jose Antonio Gonzalez, Myriam Rodgers, and Yoleidis Lopez, faced previous arrests in connection with the case. They stand accused of embezzling over $1 million and held positions as board members, either presently or in the past, during the time of their arrests.
Residents in southwest Miami-Dade had been expressing their outrage towards the HOA for years. The situation caught the attention of Cuban singer Willy Chirino in 2022, who called for an investigation into the HOA. This came after concerns were raised about the elections, the arrest of the former president for theft, and a significant rise in fees.
According to a news release from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Alzate played a significant role in a scheme aimed at causing legal delays for several years. The purpose of these delays was to prevent the production of financial documents required for the criminal investigation, despite judicial orders to do so.
Alzate stands accused by prosecutors of using notarized affidavits to demand money from law enforcement. He then used these affidavits as a justification for not cooperating with legal requests from law enforcement. The HOA supported the expenses involved in producing these documents by submitting sworn, notarized affidavits.
In Thursday’s announcement, there were also updates regarding two of the original five defendants: Monica Ghilardi and Myriam Rodgers.
Both individuals have admitted their guilt in relation to the theft and are now actively assisting investigators. Ghilardi, who previously held the position of the HOA’s president, is currently in custody as they await their sentencing. On the other hand, Rodgers has been granted probation in exchange for her cooperation in uncovering the intricacies of the fraudulent activity.
During the news conference, Fernandez Rundle confirmed that Ghilardi is now in custody and Rodgers is on probation as part of their plea deals.
The Hammocks HOA case has gained widespread attention as a prime example of the potential dangers associated with unrestrained authority within homeowners’ associations. This is especially true for expansive and densely populated communities like the Hammocks. With a staggering number of homes and an impressive resident count of over 40,000, the HOA holds considerable sway over the neighborhood’s day-to-day affairs and financial matters.
Authorities suspect that Diez, along with others involved, capitalized on the absence of proper monitoring. He allegedly exploited the HOA’s flawed financial controls by setting up a fictitious company and invoicing for services that were never rendered. The arrest of Diez represents a significant development in unraveling the complex network of fraud, according to prosecutors.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has assured the public that more arrests will be made as the case unfolds. This suggests that the true scale of the fraud is yet to be fully known.