No Secrets Here: The Truth About Elsheemy’s City Meetings
The lawsuit repeatedly accuses the Board of “operating in secrecy,” suggesting that directors have hidden meetings, undisclosed communications, and backroom dealings with the City of Miami. These claims are designed to mislead. In reality, the Board has acted transparently, documenting communications, sharing legal guidance, and working within the authority of City and State laws. Labeling normal governance and compliance efforts as “secret” is nothing more than an attempt by the plaintiffs to create suspicion where none exists.
After the zoning attorney issued his opinion letter in June 2024, several owners began contacting both the City of Miami and the Association President, Carmelo De Stefano, to seek guidance on how to bring their units into compliance with Miami 21. This was no secret — it was openly discussed within the community back in June 2024 with former board member and plaintiff Jorge Castillo.
In fact, a petition dated July 23, 2024 circulated among residents (signed by around 80 owners and tenants) specifically stated:
“That the Board of Directors not engage in any further communication with, negotiations with, or discussion with the investors regarding the possibility of BORS becoming a condo-hotel, or the process of the investors obtaining separate Certificates of Use for their individual units, or any other matter pertaining to investors’ desire to operate a condo-hotel within BORS.”
Miami Management Petiton
Far from being concealed, these discussions and petitions were part of a very visible, community-wide debate.
How Could This Be a Secret?
80 Owners Signed a Petition prior to Amal being a board member and City Meetings are Public Record
Amal Elsheemy was elected to the Board on November 21, 2024, after the community had already been made aware that certain owners, including then-board member and current plaintiff Jorge Castillo, had contacted both the City of Miami and the Association to explore avenues for compliance with Miami 21. By law, meetings with the City of Miami are public record, making it impossible for Amal — or any owner — to hold a “secret meeting.” Furthermore, once elected, Amal was transparent in her interactions with the City. She specifically stated during a meeting that while she now served on the Board, she was engaging with the City only in her capacity as an individual unit owner, not as a representative of the Association
Petition Distributed In June 2024
As you can see many of the plaintiff's signed the petition prior to July 23rd 2024 asking the board not engage with investors trying to obtain their CU for the building. Also note Jorge Catillo was directly addressed on the petition.