CONDO PRESIDENT -- convicted of racketeering -- asks board member to resign

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann
President, Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc.

Published October 16, 2007

Imagine this scenario: A president of a big condo on the Galt Mile in Fort Lauderdale, convicted of racketeering and prominently mentioned in a report authored by the President's Commission on Organized Crime, is asking a board member to resign. That board member mistakenly picked up a briefcase that he thought was his own in the parking garage, but the president is accusing him more or less of dishonesty.

How more ridiculous can it get?

Robert G. Boffa Sr., whose application to buy the condo unit clearly avoided mentioning his former felony conviction, was already elected to the board before his neighbors realized who he really was: A felon convicted of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) -- part of a group that was suspected of being involved in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

So far, complaints against his actions as president of the Playa Del Mar haven't been dealt with by authorities despite the fact that he is obviously not afraid to ignore Florida Statutes. Board meetings behind closed doors seem to be pretty common and decisions obviously have been made without informing all the board members. Investigations are on the way and the facts speak for themselves!

What actually happened isn't really worth a full explanation. Board member Mark Stern, very much in opposition to Boffa's actions as board president, picked up a briefcase looking like his own that he found in his lot in the parking garage. It took him a while to realize his mistake, but he returned it to the rightful owner. Every normal person would definitely consider this an "honest mistake" -- not even worth more than an apology.

But Boffa, under pressure because of the momentary voting situation on the board, would use any excuse to remove from the board one of the three directors that are opposing his violations of Florida Statutes -- and spending of association dues without approval of the full board in a public board meeting, as required by FS 718. Boffa would rather see Stern resign so he can appoint another director who would stand at attention when he says so without questioning his actions.

Boffa doesn't seem to understand that he is only the president of the board, not a CEO or the owner of the association. The way he acts may have been OK in the environment he grew up in, but not in a Florida condominium regulated by Florida Statutes!

In a letter that was mailed to the owners of the Playa Del Mar, that carries Boffa’s signature but not a date and surely was not approved for mailing by the board, Boffa is asking to recall board member Mark Stern. Wishful thinking!

In a town hall meeting not too long ago members were asking their neighbors to recall Boffa, after finding out who he really was -- and not what he wrote on his written application. I guess that attempt didn't go over too well under the circumstances? I think the opinion of one of the elderly unit owners sums it up: "Sorry, I had a great life and I really don't want to end up in the foundation of the new Marlin's stadium!"

Gee whiz -- only in Florida!