Saltiel Law Group - International Member of EJASO Holds Real Estate Professionals Accountable in USD $300,400 Waterfront Fraud Verdict

MIAMI, FL – A Miami-Dade County jury has awarded $300,400 dollars in damages to Bay Harbour Investment, Inc., marking a decisive victory in a complex commercial real estate fraud case involving waterfront properties in Bay Harbor Islands. This landmark verdict underscores the importance of transparency in Florida’s booming luxury real estate market.

Following a week-long trial, the jury found all defendants liable for fraudulent misrepresentations and concealment of material facts related to severe seawall defects—critical infrastructure that protects waterfront properties and surrounding areas.

The case, Bay Harbour Investment, Inc. v. Sina, LLC et al. (Case No. 2022-003065-CA-01), revolved around the 2021 sale of two contiguous waterfront properties at 9740 and 9760 W Bay Harbor Drive. Despite multiple notices from town officials regarding deteriorating seawalls, the defendants concealed these issues and pressured the buyer to waive their right to due diligence inspections.

“This verdict sends a strong message that sellers and real estate professionals in Florida’s luxury market cannot conceal material property defects,”said Matthew Carcano,lead trial attorney for Bay Harbour Investment.“Waterfront property comes with unique risks, and seawalls are critical components that buyers must carefully assess.”

Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the defendants knowingly withheld material information and deliberately misled the plaintiff to induce the purchase.

“What made this case particularly egregious is that the defendants, as real estate professionals, discouraged customary due diligence while requiring contractual reliance on their representations,”added Hubert Menendez, co-counsel for Bay Harbour Investment. “Florida law recognizes exceptions to the caveat emptor doctrine in cases where sellers employ deceptive practices to prevent buyers from conducting independent inquiries.”

Saltiel Law Group plans to file post-trial motions for attorney’s fees, costs, and prejudgment interest, which could significantly increase the client’s total recovery.

This case reaffirms Saltiel Law Group’s commitment to protecting investors from deceptive practices and leveraging aggressive litigation strategies to secure real-world results that safeguard financial interests.

The case was led by Matthew Carcano, Partner of the Litigation Group, and Hubert Menendez, Litigation Associate at Saltiel Law Group.