Dozens of Florida country clubs and HOA’s are being sued over alleged PPP fraud

A lawsuit unsealed in federal court last month alleges dozens of South Florida’s most luxurious country clubs and homeowners associations – including one in Key Biscayne – improperly got as much as $29 million in federal pandemic or “PPP” loans and should be ordered to pay up to triple damages.

The Ocean Club Community Association in Key Biscayne is accused of getting $1 million in CARES Act loans forgiven when it was legally barred from doing so, according to a lawsuit by a man who describes himself as an investor familiar with club operations.

The plaintiff, Wade Riner, has filed dozens of similar lawsuits around the nation, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.

The case, filed in U.S. District Count in Miami, lists 39 properties from Vero Beach to Miami, including large properties like Boca West Master Association, the Williams Island Property Owners Association in Aventura, Frenchman’s Creek Inc. in Palm Beach Gardens, and Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach.