Magistrate fines Pier 66 operator $10,000 after raw‑sewage discharge verified

Fort Lauderdale’s special magistrate imposed a $10,000 civil fine on a commercial property after city staff and a Broward County investigator documented raw sewage discharging into a storm drain.

Senior inspector Bernstein Sandberg presented evidence and photos showing sewage reaching the rear storm drain at 2406 Southeast 17th Street and described multiple inspections in September and October. Chris Gandolfo, attorney for Pier 66 Sales LLC, introduced engineer Thomas D’Amico, who told the magistrate the property discovered the problem in mid‑October and took steps to isolate and remediate the plumbing, including closing bathrooms and installing temporary facilities while repairs were arranged.

The city’s environmental compliance supervisor, David Reese, testified that Broward County sent a health investigator who confirmed sewage presence on Oct. 8. Reese said the discharge had persisted for “quite a while” before the city’s enforcement action and that the incident created a public‑health and nuisance risk.

After hearing the evidence, the magistrate said: "I am going to issue a $10,000 fine." The ruling formalizes a municipality response to an environmental and public‑health hazard; it also requires the owner to continue remedial work and to cooperate with inspections.

What this means: The fine represents a civil‑penalty response to a confirmed sewage discharge. The magistrate’s decision underscores that, when health or environmental harms are documented, the city will use monetary penalties in addition to corrective orders.

Next steps: The owner must complete repairs, submit evidence of remediation to the city, and reappear as ordered if the inspector’s follow‑up finds outstanding issues.