A Bribery Probe at The Coral House Miami Beach

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Coral Rock House in Miami Beach

A Bribery Probe at The Coral House Miami Beach. Having to bribe building officials of Miami Beach… No way! It’s so easy to get permits and work completed in Miami (isn’t it?)

Coral Rock House owner Michael Stern

If you’ve experienced the process, you’ll know it’s a big problem with Miami Beach real estate. A recent story from the Miami Herald told of The Coral House owner bribing three building officials, having paid over $110,000 to expedite his projects. Over the last year, the Coral Rock House owner Michael Stern wore a wire to assist law officers in this public corruption case. The Coral Rock House owner had also paid bribes of a Rolex watch and a Ford Crown Victoria in exchange for advice on demolishing the Miami Beach landmark at 900 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Authorities charged the three officials with bribery and racketeering while Stern was not charged, having received immunity from prosecution for the great cooperation.

You Had to Pay Them

Coral Rock House in Miami BeachStern declined to comment Wednesday. His attorney, Michael R. Band, said his client had paid the three men because “his dealings with inspectors were nightmarish. Basically, if you needed to get your site inspected, you had to pay them,” he said. –MiamiHerald.com

Last year Stern met with a building official to discuss ”the demolition of the Coral Rock House.” When Stern expressed concern about getting city approval, the official told him that ”everything is approvable” but urged Stern not to tell anyone he was making suggestions on tearing down the house. As of January, Stern and co-owner Ivor Rose agreed with preservationists to substantially preserve this historic home in Miami Beach.

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About Ashton Coleman

Ashton is a tech & social media savvy professional who understands the industry providing white-glove service with a wealth of experience, an impeccable reputation, and a keen ability to efficiently handle all facets of real estate. Ashton’s territory has grown significantly since 2002, marketing & selling extraordinary South Florida coastal real estate from Miami Beach to Lighthouse Point. A Certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialist (Million Dollar Guild), with a multitude of other residential certifications, Ashton provides both exceptional service and unique selling techniques. His success is attributed to an unparalleled work ethic with years of experience including top-tier professional services where the ‘art of the deal’ is mastered in contract negotiations, deal-making intricacies and the end, results-driven real estate.

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3 thoughts on “A Bribery Probe at The Coral House Miami Beach”

  1. January 17, 2009

    I was thinking of buying on Miami Beach, maybe a place that needs fixing up in North Beach, but after all the stories about the corrupt Building Department and that guy in Planning and Zoning and the political games, I think even Broward County with its problems is a safer investment than Miami-Dade County right now. I hope it changes.