Hammocks HOA Case: What Was Reported

In April 2026, two people accepted guilty pleas in a Miami-Dade case involving the finances of one of Florida's largest homeowners associations. This Hammocks HOA case is a reminder of why many homeowners choose to look at where association money goes. This page retells what the news report says, in our own words, and does not name the people involved.

What was reported

According to NBC 6 South Florida, a former president of the Hammocks Home Owners Association and that person's spouse pleaded guilty and accepted plea deals at a hearing on April 30, 2026. According to the report, the Hammocks HOA oversees about 40 communities with more than 6,500 units and around 18,000 residents, which NBC 6 describes as one of the largest homeowners associations in Florida.

According to the report, the Miami-Dade State Attorney said residents lost upwards of $11 million. Prosecutors said board members and relatives used shell companies to send association money to themselves and their friends as if it were payment to vendors, and that the vendors were paid for little or no work.

How it came to light

The report says an investigation ran for years and led to arrests, starting with five people in November 2022. It also says authorities searched the association office as part of that investigation.

How it ended

Under the plea deals reported by NBC 6:

• The former board president was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by seven years of probation.
• The spouse, who worked as a vendor, was given seven years of probation, ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and to forfeit a $1.2 million home. Prosecutors said that vendor received over $1 million for work never done or overbilled.
• The State Attorney said four other people have already pleaded guilty, others have cases pending, and one faces sentencing.

Anyone whose case is still pending is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case file reports only the outcomes the source describes as official.

What homeowners can take from it

This case involved one association's internal finances, and it does not suggest that any other HOA operates this way. Still, homeowners commonly find it helpful to build habits that make any community's finances easier to follow:

• Homeowners commonly keep their own copies of invoices, budgets, and financial reports sent to them.
• Homeowners commonly ask, in writing, to inspect official association records when a budget line or vendor payment is unclear.
• Homeowners commonly attend board meetings or read the minutes, since vendor contracts and payments are often discussed there.
• Homeowners commonly read the annual budget and reserve disclosures line by line rather than skimming the total.
• Homeowners commonly compare year-over-year vendor spending for patterns worth asking about.

Florida law on HOAs (Chapter 720) addresses board recordkeeping and member access to official records, including under Fla. Stat. § 720.303. Always check your own declaration, bylaws, and rules, along with the current statute text, since both can change. For general information about this site, see our services and frequently asked questions; for legal questions, consult a licensed Florida attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Can homeowners look at HOA financial records in Florida?

Florida law addresses how members can ask to inspect official association records, including how to ask and how long the association has to respond. The details change, so read the current text of Fla. Stat. § 720.303 and your governing documents before relying on any summary.

Does this case mean something is wrong at my HOA?

No. The report describes one association. Most associations are run by volunteers acting in good faith. Asking for records is a normal part of ownership and does not accuse anyone of wrongdoing.

What should I do if a vendor payment looks wrong?

Homeowners commonly begin with a written request for the invoice, the contract, and the board minutes that approved it, and may wish to confirm the process under Fla. Stat. § 720.303. If the answer does not resolve your concern, a licensed Florida attorney can review your documents.

When to talk to a licensed Florida attorney

If you believe your association's finances, a vendor contract, or a board member's conduct may involve misuse of funds, or a records dispute that a written request has not resolved, it is wise to talk to a licensed Florida attorney. An attorney can review your specific documents, evaluate whether a formal complaint, civil claim, or regulatory referral may apply, and advise you on deadlines that generally cannot wait. This case file is independent educational information, not legal advice, and every situation depends on its own facts and records.

Sources

• NBC 6 South Florida report on the Hammocks HOA plea deals (NBC 6 South Florida, 2026-04-30)

About this Case File. This is a plain-English retelling of what the source linked above reports, in our own words. We did not investigate these matters ourselves and cannot verify every detail. This site avoids naming private individuals involved in them. If something here is wrong or out of date, email help@hoacrimes.com and we will correct or remove it.

Official resources and further reading

Statutes change. Confirm the current text on the official site, and read your own governing documents.

• Fla. Stat. § 720.303: Association powers and duties; official records; meetings
• Florida Statutes, Chapter 720 (Homeowners' Associations)
• Florida DBPR, Division of Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes

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This article is general information for Florida homeowners, not legal advice. HOA Crimes is not a law firm, and reading this creates no attorney-client relationship. Laws and your governing documents change and depend on your facts. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed Florida attorney.