Ramblewood East residents press Coral Springs commission as police open probe into association finances and election practices

Ramblewood East condominium residents urged the Coral Springs City Commission on Feb. 5 to intervene after months of alleged mismanagement, missed ballots and threats from their homeowners association leadership.

The speakers said long-serving board members have purchased rental units, withheld financial information, moved to impose a rental program without clear voter approval, and impeded the run-up to a Feb. 17 board election. Several homeowners said ballots had not been received and alleged the board had pressured owners not to vote for specific candidates.

Why it matters: Ramblewood East residents said the situation threatens homeowners’ rights, safety and housing stability for seniors and single-parent households who live in the complex. The city’s police and administrative responses could affect whether alleged misconduct is treated as criminal, regulatory or contractual.

Deputy Chief of Police John Gallagher told residents the city assigned Detective Gene Cashier to investigate. Gallagher said Detective Cashier has begun interviews, issued subpoenas and is working with the state attorney’s public corruption and economic crimes units; the detective has also spoken with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Gallagher said records requests and subpoenas can take time and that the probe may require review of a decade of documents.

Residents who spoke at the meeting described long-running problems. Itza Diaz, Ramblewood East homeowner, said she left a January 18 meeting “humiliated” and demanded a temporary administrator and a review of bylaws she said had been ignored. Joyce Medina, another homeowner, described notices posted that changed meeting times, said she was told not to invest in unit repairs because of planned demolition, and questioned where association money is spent. Several speakers said board incumbents have served far beyond the two-term limit they read in the bylaws.

Commissioner Joshua Simmons urged residents to file complaints with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and to email the commission with documents and notices. Commissioner Simmons also asked the residents to send their materials to Detective Cashier; city staff provided an investigative contact: gcashier@coralsprings.gov. City Manager Givens said staff and the police are coordinating with state officials and Tallahassee contacts.

City response and next steps: The city said the police investigation is active and that administrative or contract disputes (for example, enforcement of HOA bylaws or questions about ballots) may require private legal counsel because those matters typically arise under private contracts between owners and their association. City Attorney Andrew Dunkeil advised homeowners to consult a private attorney for contract enforcement and noted residents can file complaints with DBPR or seek legal counsel for HOA document disputes.

What residents asked for: Temporary administration of the association until a verified election, an independent financial review, full disclosure of association spending, and revision or enforcement of bylaws, particularly term limits and the disputed rental program. Several speakers asked the commission and staff to seek greater state-level enforcement.

Ending: Commissioners said they would carry residents’ documents and complaints to Tallahassee and continue to coordinate with the DBPR and the state attorney’s offices. The commission also reminded Ramblewood East residents that criminal allegations should be submitted to the police detective and that private contract disputes typically require a private lawyer.