The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office is reviewing a 50-year-old co-op in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, following WLRN's reporting on a conflict between its residents and leadership board.
The SAO confirmed to 港澳天下彩that its Economic Crimes Division is looking into Town Park Village, a co-op populated by mostly Black and low-income residents.
Last month, 港澳天下彩reported that the co-op, which was built in the 1970s, is in a serious state of disrepair, and the residents feel at odds with the board that makes decisions for the complex.
READ MORE: Overtown residents got a shot at homeownership 50 years ago. Now it's falling apart
The board put the 147-unit complex up for sale last November without first notifying the residents, who own shares in the property. Town Park Village was up for sale for $38 million before the listing was taken down on May 2. The property also received an $18 million grant from the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency to renovate two thirds of the units, but almost all of that money has been spent on repairs for only a fraction of the projected units.
The co-op is located in Overtown, where gentrification and rising rents threaten to displace residents in what was once a thriving Black community that was .
A spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office said their investigators are interviewing people about what鈥檚 happening at the co-op and reviewing documents to find out more, following WLRN鈥檚 initial reporting.
Bernice Slater, whose mother, Lillian, has been a longtime resident and leader at Town Park Village, said she鈥檚 grateful that authorities have started taking an interest in the co-op.
鈥淥h Jesus, thank you,鈥� Slater told WLRN. 鈥淭hey haven鈥檛 called me yet but I鈥檝e been waiting to hear from them.鈥�
The investigates public assistance fraud, elder abuse and a variety of crimes related to condominium management, according to the State Attorney's Office website.
An attorney for Town Park Village鈥檚 board did not respond to WLRN鈥檚 request for comment.
