Elawyers Elawyers
Ohio| Change
Find Similar Cases by Filters
You can browse Case Laws by Courts, or by your need.
Find 49 similar cases
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. CHARLES L. WHITE, 78-000273 (1978)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 78-000273 Latest Update: Aug. 18, 1978

Findings Of Fact The Respondent, Charles L. White, is registered with the Real Estate Commission as a Real Estate Salesman. Copies of the Administrative Complaint filed by the Commission against the Respondent were forwarded to the Respondent at the address he most recently provided the Commission. Copies of the Complaint were returned to the Commission, and copies of the Notice of Hearing forwarded to the Respondent have likewise been returned. Efforts to locate the Respondent have been unsuccessful. A forty-count indictment was issued by the Grand Jury of the United States District Court in the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, against the Respondent, Charles L. White, and five other persons. On February 5, 1977, a jury found the Respondent guilty of all counts of the indictment in which he was charged. On June 3, 1977, he was adjudicated guilty, and sentenced to serve eighteen months in the Federal Penitentiary, execution of the sentence being suspended, and the Respondent being placed on probation for a period of two years. The crimes of which the Respondent was convicted involve dishonest dealing in connection with real estate transactions, and include fraud, fraudulent use of the mail, and conspiracy to commit violations of Federal law.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is, hereby, RECOMMENDED: That a final order be entered finding the Respondent guilty of the charges alleged in the Administrative Complaint, and suspending the Respondent's registration as a real estate salesman for a period of two years. DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 2nd day of June 1978. G. STEVEN PFEIFFER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Kenneth M. Meer, Esquire Florida Real Estate Commission 400 West Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32801 Mr. Charles L. White D-30 Sierra Apartments Stuart, Florida 33494 Mr. Charles L. White c/o County Realty & Investments Stuart, Florida 33494

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.25
# 1
JERRY R. ERICKSON vs. FLORIDA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION, 86-003656 (1986)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 86-003656 Latest Update: Oct. 31, 1986

Findings Of Fact Petitioner, Jerry R. Erickson, who is now thirty years old, made application on May 29, 1986 for licensure as a real estate salesman by examination with respondent, Department of Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate (Division). Question six on the application requires the applicant to state whether he or she "has ever been convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest), even if adjudication was withheld". Petitioner answered in the affirmative and gave the following response: February 10, 1984 incurred several felonies, all drug and alcohol related, there were several incidents in my past that were drug and alcohol related. (See attached letters). A subsequent background check by respondent revealed the following arrests and/or convictions: 1980 - Arrest for driving while under the influence. 1982 - Arrest for trespassing after warning and assault and battery. 1982 - Arrest and conviction for driving while under the influence. 1983 - Disorderly intoxication ar- rest. 1984 - Arrest and conviction for armed burglary, kidnap, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, and burglary to a business. Although arrested on the above five occasions, he was convicted only twice. For the most recent conviction in 1984, Erickson was allowed to enter into a negotiated plea whereby he received 455 days incarceration, two years community control, and ten years probation, each to run consecutively. 1/ Because of his record, petitioner's application for licensure was denied by respondent on September 15, 1986. Erickson's problems are directly related to alcohol and drug addiction. Its origin began at age thirteen when he was given valium by his parents for hyperactivity. Following this exposure to drugs, Erickson freely admits that he abused alcohol and drugs until early February, 1984. Having taken a large dose of valiums over a 48 hour period, and still not being able to sleep, Erickson entered a drug store on February 9, 1984 and demanded, at gunpoint, an ampule of morphine to help him calm down. For that episode, he was arrested and charged with a number of serious crimes. Apparently recognizing that Erickson's underlying problem of drug and alcohol addiction was the reason for his actions, the State allowed Erickson to enter a negotiated plea if he could master his addiction problem. He has successfully done so and is now under community control until November, 1986. After that, he must serve 10 years probation. In addition, he must receive an annual psychological review during the term of his probation. In addition to his own testimony, a psychiatrist, executive vice- president of a bank, and the chief of the public defender's criminal trial division testified on Erickson's behalf. All were aware of Erickson's background and prior legal problems. Erickson was described as being responsible, mature, reliable and honest. The banker stated he would have no hesitation in using Erickson in a real estate transaction and that Erickson has met all obligations on several loans with the bank. The public defender described Erickson's conduct as "exceptional", and that he is one out of perhaps five hundred clients who has been assigned to community control. All felt Erickson had rehabilitated himself. Erickson desires to become a real estate salesman, and eventually to obtain a broker's license. He is married, has a child, and is employed at a West Palm Beach newspaper. He was most candid and forthright in his testimony and appeared to the undersigned to have rehabilitated himself by reason of good conduct and lapse of time since his 1984 conviction.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That petitioner's application for licensure as by examination as a real estate salesman be GRANTED. DONE AND ORDERED this 31st of October, 1986, in Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 31st day of October, 1986.

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.17
# 2
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs RALPH DE PONTE, JR., 96-000661 (1996)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Port St. Lucie, Florida Feb. 02, 1996 Number: 96-000661 Latest Update: Dec. 27, 1996

Findings Of Fact Respondent, Ralph De Ponte, Jr., is a licensed real estate salesman, license number 0110328, in the State of Florida. Petitioner is the state agency charged with the responsibility of regulating real estate licensees. On or about August 25, 1993, Respondent, while licensed as a real estate salesperson, solicited and obtained a joint venture agreement between Eugenio R. Martinez and Johnco Management, Inc. The purpose of the joint venture was to purchase and sell real estate lots for profit. Lot Center Real Estate, the brokerage company for whom Respondent was employed at the time, was to act as the exclusive agent for the purchase and resale of all properties purchased by the joint venture. Mr. Martinez entrusted $15,000 with Respondent in accordance with the joint venture agreement. Mr. Martinez, based upon the representations from Respondent, believed the money would be invested in the purchase of real estate. Instead, Respondent used the $15,000 to pay off his personal debts. Johnco Management, Inc. was administratively dissolved by the Secretary of State on August 26, 1994, for failure to file its annual report as required by law. Mr. Martinez made repeated demands on Respondent for the return of the $15,000 because no effort was being made to purchase real estate and sell it for profit. Respondent is unable to return Mr. Martinez' investment and claims that the lack of additional funds caused the joint venture to prove unsuccessful. Respondent considered the $15,000 from Mr. Martinez a personal loan. Mr. Martinez' version of the incident, which is also supported by the written joint venture agreement drafted by Respondent, has been deemed more credible.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is, hereby, RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Real Estate Commission, enter a final order revoking Respondent's real estate license. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of September, 1996, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. JOYOUS D. PARRISH, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of September, 1996. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 96-0661 Rulings on the proposed findings of fact submitted by Petitioner: 1. Paragraphs 1 through 10 are accepted. Rulings on the proposed findings of fact submitted by Respondent: None submitted. COPIES FURNISHED: Henry M. Solares Division Director Division of Real Estate Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802-1900 Lynda L. Goodgame General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Daniel Villazon Senior Attorney Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802-1900 Ralph De Ponte, Jr. Post Office Box 7751 Port St. Lucie, Florida 34985

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.25
# 4
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. CHARLES E. RICHMOND, 75-001582 (1975)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 75-001582 Latest Update: Dec. 10, 1976

Findings Of Fact Charles E. Richmond applied for registration as a real estate salesman in 1971, filing his application dated December 23, 1971, and received by the agency on December 30, 1971, said application being received as Exhibit 1. In 1974, Richmond applied for registration as a broker-salesman filing an application with the agency, said application being introduced as Exhibit 2. The charges in the Administrative Complaint relate to alleged fraud and concealment in these applications. The basis for the charges contained in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Complaint was that Richmond's 1974 application apparently indicates a traffic violation received in 1971, which had not been reported in the 1971 application. The Hearing Officer finds that regarding the allegations, there were seven days remaining in 1971 after the preparation of Richmond's application within which time Richmond could have received the ticket referred to in the 1974 application. However, more importantly, the 1974 application indicates on its face some doubt, in the applicant's mind regarding the year in which the ticket was received. Richmond qualified his response in the 1974 registration relative to the date the first ticket was received. The Florida Real Estate Commission has not presented any evidence to factually resolve the question. The Hearing Officer finds there is no conflict between the 1971 and 1974 application, no proof of any evasion regarding the tickets, and certainly no proof of the actual failure to reveal a traffic offense on the 1971 application. Paragraphs 8(a) and 9 charge that in 1974 Richmond concealed the fact of his arrest and plea to contributing to the delinquency of a minor in 1972. The Florida Real Estate Commission alleges that said concealment shows that Richmond lacks the necessary qualifications of honesty, truthfulness, trustworthiness and good character required by Section 475.17(1), Florida Statutes, and that Richmond obtained both his registrations as a salesman and as a broker-salesman by means of fraud, misrepresentation, and concealment in violation of Subsection 475.25(2), Florida Statutes. Regarding the contention that Richmond received his 1971 registration a salesman by fraud and misrepresentation, there is no evidence that Richmond falsified any portion of his 1971 application. The arrest and plea to contributing to the delinquency of a minor did not occur until 1972, and the question of the traffic violation was dealt with above. Concerning concealment on the 1974 application, the Florida Real Estate Commission introduced Exhibits 1, 2, 3, and 4 which show Richmond's registration as a salesman and broker-salesman and his arrest and plea to an offense against the laws of Florida. Richmond testified that his arrest had been upon the complaint of a co-worker of his when he attempted to assist the co-worker's daughter, who had graduated from high school and who was working full time, move our of her parents' home into an apartment. Richmond stated that he had felt he was not guilty of any wrong doing but had entered a plea on the advise of Counsel and upon his representation that this would not become a matter of record. Richmond stated he knew that he had been arrested and had pled guilty to the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but felt that to report this on his application would record an incident which he felt was not of record. Richmond further indicated that he felt this was damaging to his reputation in the community, which apparently from the testimony of his employer, Earlene Cooper Usry, was good. Richmond stated his concern specifically with regard to the effect knowledge of this incident would have on his activity as president of the local Little League, with which he had been associated approximately seven years.

Recommendation Wherefore, the Hearing Officer recommends that Richmond's registration as a broker-salesman be revoked with the observation that Richmond, although he did conceal information, did so for understandable reasons, and that some consideration should be given to allowing Richmond to be reinstated after a period of six months. Further, the Hearing Officer recommends that no action be taken regarding Richmond's salesman's license, the Florida Real Estate Commission having failed to allege any statutory basis for revocation or suspension thereof. DONE and ORDERED this 9th day of December, 1975. STEPHEN F. DEAN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Joseph A. Doherty, Esquire Florida Real Estate Commission 2699 Lee Road Winter Park, Florida 32789 Richard A. Langford, Esquire Post Office Box 868 Bartow, Florida 33830

Florida Laws (2) 475.17475.25
# 5
PATRICIA ANN BOND vs. FLORIDA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION, 86-004935 (1986)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 86-004935 Latest Update: Jun. 05, 1987

Findings Of Fact Petitioner graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1976. Since that time she taught school in Texas for six years, entered a stockbroker training program, qualified, but did not work as a stockbroker. She completed one semester of pre-law before moving to Florida in 1983. Since her arrival in Florida she ran an antique restoration business, taught at a private school for girls, and did a lot of volunteer counseling services principally in the evenings in group sessions. Her primary interest in the field of counseling has been to help rape victims and abused children. While carrying out these counseling services, Petitioner came into contact with a family of three children, the father of whom had recently remarried after the death of their mother. They were experiencing difficulties with their stepmother, and ultimately the father sided with his children and separated from the new wife. Although Petitioner has never met this woman, she evidentally blamed Petitioner for her failed marriage and commenced a program of harassment of Petitioner that included threatening phone calls, discontinuance of Petitioner's telephone service, and access to confidential information about some of Petitioner's clients she was counseling. Unable to get any protection from the police absent some overt act by the harasser, Petitioner succumbed to the pressure and in desperation, paid two young men $100 to rattle the woman's door and tell her to leave Petitioner alone. The two men did not carry out the intimidation and shortly thereafter Petitioner notified the police of her plans. She was subsequently arrested and brought to trial on a charge of solicitation to commit burglary. Upon advice of counsel, she pleaded guilty, adjudication of guilt was withheld by the court, and she was placed on probation for four years. In her application for licensure Petitioner accurately reported this incident. Petitioner has never before been arrested or otherwise involved with the police on the wrong side of the law. She has been an exemplary parolee and her probation will likely be reduced to two years if Petitioner continues on her present course. Since this incident Petitioner has been named guardian advocate for a party placed in involuntary placement due to incompetence. Raul Martin, a registered real estate broker, has known Petitioner and members of her family for many years. He is fully aware of the criminal charges that were brought against Petitioner and that as supervising broker, he would be responsible for her actions as a real estate salesman. He will hire her as a salesman if she is allowed to take, and successfully passes, the real estate examination for salesman.

Florida Laws (2) 475.17475.25
# 6
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. MICHAEL DIAMOND, 77-001304 (1977)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 77-001304 Latest Update: Mar. 13, 1978

Findings Of Fact On November 18, 1976, the Real Estate Commission received respondent's application for registration as a real estate salesman. In answering the sixth question on the application form, respondent indicated that he had never been arrested for any offense. In fact, respondent was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Ft. Lauderdale and was convicted of this offense in municipal court on September 22, 1960. On April 3, 1962, he was convicted in municipal court of assault and battery on the person of Jill Boyd an offense for which he was arrested in Ft. Lauderdale on March 27, 1962. He was arrested a second time for driving while intoxicated in Ft. Lauderdale and was convicted of this offense in municipal court on February 28, 1967. On still other occasions, respondent was arrested for public intoxication and for traffic offenses. Before submitting his application for registration as a real estate salesman, respondent enrolled at the Florida Real Estate Academy for a five day crash course. An instructor told his class that the Real Estate Commission checked only five years back for arrests.

Recommendation Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That petitioner revoke respondent's real estate salesman's license with leave to respondent to file a proper application. DONE and ENTERED this 6th day of December, 1977, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Louis B. Guttmannp, III, Esquire Florida Real Estate Commission 2699 Lee Road Winter Park, Florida 32789 Mr. Michael Diamond Post Office Box 9206 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33310

Florida Laws (1) 475.25
# 7
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. JOHN L. NUCCITELLI, 81-002591 (1981)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 81-002591 Latest Update: Feb. 07, 1983

Findings Of Fact The Respondent, John L. Nuccitelli, is a licensed real estate broker, having been issued License Number 0064764, and he was so licensed at all times material to the issue in this proceeding. On August 20, 1979, an arrest warrant was issued in Lancaster County, South Carolina, directing that the Respondent be arrested on the charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, in that he flew into the Lancaster County Airport in a Douglas DC4 four engine aircraft with approximately 131 bales of marijuana. The Respondent was subsequently indicted for this offense, and on December 4, 1979, he was found guilty in the Court of General Sessions in and for Lancaster County, South Carolina, of the crime as charged. Thereafter, the Respondent was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of five years, and a fine of $5,000, with the provision that the prison term would be reduced to probation for five years upon payment of the $5,000 fine. On July 29, 1982, the Respondent having paid the fine imposed and having fulfilled the conditions of his probation, the Court entered its Order relieving the Respondent from the sentence previously imposed, and discharging him from further probation. The Respondent had not been involved with the law prior to the incident in question, and has not been so involved since this incident. He realizes that he made a serious mistake, one which has adversely affected both himself and his family. He is the sole support of his wife and five children, and he has only done work in the real estate field since leaving the Air Force. The Respondent and his wife have been married eight years. They have two children of their own, and three children by a prior marriage. The Respondent is a caring husband and father. He is trusted by those persons in the community who know him.

Recommendation From the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that License No. 0064764 held by the Respondent, John L. Nuccitelli, be REVOKED. THIS RECOMMENDED ORDER entered on this 1st day of November, 1982. WILLIAM B. THOMAS, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of November, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: John L. Huskins, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation - Legal Section Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Richard J.R. Parkinson, Esquire 603 East Central Boulevard Orlando, Florida 32801 William M. Furlow, Esquire Department of Professional Regulation - Legal Section Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Carlos B. Stafford, Executive Director Florida Real Estate Commission 400 West Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32801 Samuel R. Shorstein, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.25
# 8
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs FRANCIS WALID JACOB AND RENTERS PARADISE REALTY, INC., 98-001308 (1998)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Miami, Florida Mar. 18, 1998 Number: 98-001308 Latest Update: Jan. 05, 2000

The Issue Whether Respondents are guilty of fraud, misrepresentation, concealment, false promises, false pretenses, dishonest dealing by trick, scheme or device, culpable negligence, or breach of trust in any business transaction in violation of Section 475.25(1)(b), Florida Statutes, as alleged in the Administrative Complaint.

Findings Of Fact Petitioner is the agency of the State of Florida charged with the responsibility of regulating the practice of real estate pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 475, Florida Statutes, and other pertinent provisions of law and rules. Respondent, Francis Walid Jacob, is a duly-licensed real estate broker having been issued license number 0569854. Respondent, Renters Paradise Realty, Inc., is a duly- licensed real estate brokerage company, having been issued license number 0269583. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, Respondent Jacob was the qualifying broker for the corporate Respondent. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, Philip Jay Slewett was a licensed real estate salesperson employed by the corporate Respondent. Mr. Slewett's license number was 0614888. Related Management Services, Inc. (RMS), was, at all times pertinent to this proceeding, a real estate management company. Intercoastal Towers, an apartment complex, was one of the properties managed by RMS. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, Bruce Terwilliger was the managing Vice President of RMS. At all times pertinent to this proceeding, RMS had a practice of paying commissions to real estate professionals who referred tenants to Intercoastal Towers. The practice required that the real estate professional visit the apartment complex with a client and that the client subsequently lease an apartment at Intercoastal Towers. RMS became suspicious that certain real estate professionals had submitted invoices for clients that they had not referred to the Galahads Apartments, another apartment complex managed by RMS. Because the leasing director at the Galahads had previously been the leasing director for Intercoastal Towers, Mr. Terwilliger investigated whether his company had paid for falsified invoices at the Galahads and at Intercoastal Towers. During his investigation, Mr. Terwilliger reviewed all billings from real estate professionals for commissions based on referrals to Intercoastal Towers, and he interviewed residents to determine whether the billing real estate professional had referred the tenant. Signed statements, including affidavits, were collected during the course of Mr. Terwilliger's investigation, and an investigation by the Miami-Dade Police Department. Based primarily on what Mr. Terwilliger was told by the various residents, he concluded that RMS had paid commissions to the Respondent corporation based on invoices for professional services that had not been rendered. Respondents and the salespersons who generated the billing for a commission split the commission. Mr. Terwilliger met with Respondent Jacob about these invoices. Afterwards, Respondent Jacob had his company reimburse RMS for the invoices at issue in this proceeding. Phillip Slewett was a real estate salesperson employed by the Respondent corporation at the times pertinent to this proceeding. Mr. Slewett admitted that he and another real estate salesperson employed by the Respondent corporation generated the falsified invoices to RMS. Mr. Slewett also implicated two employees of RMS in this billing scam. The evidence did not establish that Respndent Jacob or the Respondent corporation knew or should have known that the invoices generated by Mr. Slewett and the other salesperson were false.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a final order dismissing the Administrative Complaint against both Respondents. DONE AND ENTERED this 2nd day of November, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. CLAUDE B. ARRINGTON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of November, 1999.

Florida Laws (3) 120.57425.25475.25
# 9
DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE vs. THOMAS E. ENNIS, MARSHALL J. HUNGERFORD, ET AL., 82-003066 (1982)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 82-003066 Latest Update: May 06, 1983

Findings Of Fact The Respondent A. G. Ennis Realty, Inc. is a corporate real estate broker having been issued license number 0133016. The Respondent Thomas E. Ennis is the licensed real estate broker of record for A. G. Ennis Realty, Inc., and he holds broker's license number 0025105. The Respondent Marshall J. Hungerford is a licensed real estate salesman who has been issued license number 0042181. The Respondent Mildred B. Hardin is a licensed real estate salesman holding license number 0130139. In February, 1980, the Respondent Mildred Hardin commenced negotiations with Henry Roehr for the purchase of a lot on which he wished to build a condominium. During these negotiations, the Respondent Marshall Hungerford had deposits from ten parties for units in a condominium to be constructed. These parties wanted to live together, but they did not want to go into the particular location where the condominium was to be built because it was across the street from a public boat ramp. Negotiations on this first lot began to lag, because the owners were in Europe. The Respondent Mildred Hardin suggested that Henry Roehr purchase another lot for his proposed condominium. By letter dated March 18, 1980, Mildred Hardin forwarded a proposed contract for the purchase of Lot 35, Block 357, Unit II Replat, Marco Beach Subdivision. In this letter, the Respondent Mildred Hardin reminded Henry Roehr to keep her informed of what was happening so that Marshall Hungerford could tell his prospective buyers something. The terms of the contract for the purchase of Lot 35, generally, called for Henry Roehr to deposit $38,000 as earnest money against a selling price of $360,000. Mr. Roehr made the required deposit by check to the Respondent A.G. Ennis Realty, Inc., to be held in escrow. After Henry Roehr received assurances from the Respondent Mildred Hardin that the ten persons who had given deposit checks to Marshall Hungerford would purchase condominium units on Lot 35, Henry Roehr by letter dated April 7, 1980, authorized the Respondent Mildred Hardin to release to the seller the signed contract and check for the purchase of Lot 35. In this letter he stated that the only reason he was purchasing the lot was because of the representations that had been made to him that Marshall Hungerford had ten firm purchasers for condominium units. Before this transaction closed, the Respondent Marshall Hungerford accompanied Henry Roehr to two banking institutions for the purpose of obtaining a construction loan for the condominium units. During these visits, the Respondent Marshall Hungerford represented to the banking institutions that he had ten firm purchasers for units in the proposed condominium. The transaction closed on July 13, 1980. When Henry Roehr began to request more information about the prospective buyers of condominium units, the Respondent Marshall J. Hungerford, by letter dated July 29, 1980, forwarded to Henry Roehr the names and addresses of ten individuals who were represented to "have deposited checks with us and have expressed a desire to purchase a condominium, as proposed for the above reference project". In this letter he further stated, "its my personal opinion knowing all of these people that they are certified buyers and are interested and capable of entering into a purchase contract". When the Respondents presented no contracts for the purchase of condominium units from any of the people who were represented to be buyers, Henry Roehr suspected that he had been deceived, and tried to sell some of the condominium units himself. However, when the combined efforts of Henry Roehr and the Respondents failed to pre-sell enough units to warrant construction of a condominium, the plan to build was abandoned. The representations made by the Respondents, Marshall Hungerford and Mildred Hardin, that they had deposits from ten buyers for condominiums were false. These representations were made while they were salesmen employed by the Respondents, A.G. Ennis Realty, Inc., and the broker for A.G. Ennis Realty, Inc., Thomas Ennis. Thomas Ennis was aware of the transaction and participated in it as a broker, and collected a commission on it. Henry Roehr purchased Lot 35 in reliance upon these false representations.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the licenses of the Respondents, Thomas E. Ennis, Marshall J. Hungerford, Mildred B. Hardin, and A.G. Ennis Realty, Inc., be revoked. THIS RECOMMENDED ORDER ENTERED this 6th day of May, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. William B. Thomas Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 6th day of May, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Fred Langford, Esquire Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Thomas E. Ennis A.G. Ennis Realty, Inc. 821 South Barfield Drive Marco Island, Florida 33937 Marshall J. Hungerford Post Office Box 432 Marco Island, Florida 33937 Mildred B. Hardin Post Office Box 121 Georgetown, Florida 32039 William M. Furlow, Esquire Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Harold Huff, Executive Director Florida Real Estate Commission Post Office Box 1900 Orlando, Florida 32802 Frederick Roche, Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Florida Laws (2) 120.57475.25
# 10

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.
Ask a Question
Search for lawyers by practice areas.
Find a Lawyer