{"id":21154,"date":"2025-10-13T20:03:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T00:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2025\/10\/13\/jury-sides-with-property-management-company\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T20:03:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T00:03:18","slug":"jury-sides-with-property-management-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2025\/10\/13\/jury-sides-with-property-management-company\/","title":{"rendered":"Jury Sides with Property Management Company"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Case<\/h2>\n

A South Florida property management company accused of taking nearly half a million dollars from a Sunrise community has prevailed in a civil lawsuit \u2014 but the company\u2019s owner is still facing criminal charges in connection to the same case.<\/p>\n

Background of the Dispute<\/h2>\n

A Broward County jury found BDM Property Management not liable in a lawsuit filed by the Fairways of Sunrise Association, which accused the company of pocketing $439,000 in insurance proceeds meant to cover Hurricane Irma damage. The jury sided with BDM, finding the company did not breach its fiduciary duties to the association, but awarded the company just $1 in damages.
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Reaction to the Verdict<\/h2>\n

Residents of the Fairways community reacted with shock as the verdict was read in court. \u201cAll these homeowners\u2026 it\u2019s horrible,\u201d Fairways resident Cynthia Beaver said while fighting back tears.<\/p>\n

Details of the Lawsuit<\/h2>\n

The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that BDM left only about $5,000 of the association\u2019s insurance payout after taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in claimed administrative fees. During the trial, BDM owner Michael Curtis testified the money was the compensation owed for his additional hours of work he said he spent facilitating the settlement. \u201cIf I were to bill correctly, it would have been $840,000,\u201d Curtis said in court, adding that the company charged $75 per hour instead of $100.<\/p>\n

Testimonies and Evidence<\/h2>\n

His mother and BDM co-owner Donna Cramb testified the figure was based on \u201call the phone calls and all the work that was done related to the Hurricane Irma claim.\u201d She said the hours were tracked and documented only in handwritten notes over a more than two-year period. \u201cIt\u2019s all handwritten on a legal pad. I think that\u2019s the best,\u201d Cramb said on the stand. Attorneys for the Fairways association questioned Curtis about several other payments allegedly made to his company. Curtis declined to answer specific questions, without being shown the checks and invoices.<\/p>\n

Broader Implications<\/h2>\n

The Fairways of Sunrise is one of several South Florida communities that have accused BDM and Curtis of mismanaging association funds or insurance proceeds. Homeowners from other properties have made similar complaints, which Curtis has denied through his attorney. \u201cIt\u2019s not just Fairways of Sunrise \u2014 it\u2019s Windmill Lakes, it\u2019s Three Horizons (East), Colonies, all these\u2026 hundreds of owners,\u201d Beaver said. \u201cDevastating. It is absolutely devastating,\u201d added Jenny Trujillo, a homeowner at Three Horizons East.<\/p>\n

Criminal Charges and License Revocation<\/h2>\n

In January, Curtis was arrested and charged with grand theft and perjury in connection with the Fairways case. Last year, the State of Florida revoked his property management license, calling him a \u201ctrue danger to the public.\u201d Curtis is appealing that decision.<\/p>\n

Post-Verdict Reactions<\/h2>\n

His attorney, Elias Hilal, spoke to NBC6 after the civil verdict. \u201cFacts prevailed on the case,\u201d Hilal said. \u201cNo one really wanted to hear the story, but now the story came out and the jury agreed.\u201d Curtis has denied previous attempts by NBC6 Investigates to speak with him about homeowners\u2019 complaints. During the trial, Hilal unsuccessfully asked the judge to bar news cameras from the courtroom. Judge Jeffrey Levenson denied the request and reaffirmed the media\u2019s right to attend and record proceedings. \u201cCome on,\u201d the judge told attorneys. \u201cYou guys know better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Impact on the Criminal Case<\/h2>\n

Hilal believes the civil verdict could have implications for the ongoing criminal case. \u201cIt\u2019s a lesser burden [in civil court], and the state attorney has a much higher burden to meet,\u201d Hilal said. \u201cI feel like they\u2019re going to have a hard time meeting that burden when they couldn\u2019t meet it here.\u201d A spokesperson for the Broward State Attorney\u2019s Office told NBC6 the criminal case remains pending, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for October 24. Curtis has pleaded not guilty to all charges.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The verdict in the civil lawsuit brings a measure of closure to the dispute between BDM Property Management and the Fairways of Sunrise Association, but the criminal case against Michael Curtis remains ongoing. The outcome of this case highlights the complexities and challenges of resolving disputes involving property management companies and homeowners associations. As the legal process continues, it remains to be seen how the criminal charges will be resolved and what implications this will have for the property management industry as a whole.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n