Latest news with #renovations
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Owners of Fort Lauderdale assisted living home rack up $40,000 in fines, board says
The owners of an assisted living home accused of removing all of its residents to convert to luxury apartments have now racked up $40,000 in fines over the renovations, Fort Lauderdale code enforcement officials said at a meeting Tuesday. Management for Oasis Living Quarters announced the controversial evictions at a meeting in March, according to residents, employees and a state inspection report. As residents moved out, workers began tearing down partitions, demolishing kitchenettes and installing air conditioning units. But the facility never received a permit for the renovations or changed the building's use from an assisted and independent living home to apartment buildings, according to city officials. The removals, which included residents who were bedridden or had dementia, also led to a lawsuit and citations from the state over the lack of written notice. Attorneys for Oasis have claimed that it did provide notice. At a May 27 code enforcement hearing, an angry code enforcement board decided to give the owner of the property, Lauderdale Commercial Blvd Partners LLC, two weeks to comply with code and then begin fining them $1,000 a day if they did not comply. The LLC is connected to Lee and Jay Podolsky, members of a family of notorious landlords in New York City, the Sun Sentinel previously reported. On June 11, the fines began. By Tuesday, the fines totaled $40,000 and are continuing to increase each day, officials said. Andrew Gebbia, the building inspector, said he visited the property last week and the owners still were not in compliance with code. At that point, the contractor had not submitted applications for plumbing and electrical permits, Gebbia said. As of Tuesday, he had submitted the two applications but both still required additional documents and information. Asked if the building was occupied, Gebbia said yes, but not the units that were under construction. Half of the property that was once Oasis' assisted living side is already operating as Waterview luxury apartments. The assisted living residents had first been moved into the other half, then told to leave in March. Ariel Grosfeld, an attorney for the Abrams Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, appeared at the Tuesday meeting on behalf of the owners, asking the board to postpone the case until the next meeting because the attorneys for the owners are at trial. She also cited 'the convoluted nature of the case, the procedural history, and the irregularities from city staff.' 'If they get the continuances, the fine still accrues, it's still a thousand in a day?' asked Jacquie Shaw, a member of the board. Assistant City Attorney Rhonda Montoya Hasan said yes, unless the board decides otherwise. The board voted to postpone the hearing until August and to continue fining the owners $1,000 a day in the meantime. A lawsuit in Broward County Court over the removals remains active. It was originally filed on behalf of a bedridden tenant still living at the facility. She later died shortly after moving out. Grosfeld, the attorney for the property, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Fed Releases Video of Renovations
The US Federal Reserve releases video of its renovations that are underway and over budget. Costs have ballooned to $2.5 billion. Work is being done on the headquarters building and a building at 1951 Constitution Avenue. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has defended the renovation work as transparent. President Donald Trump, who says Powell needs to lower interest rates, says the project is being mismanaged. This is video released by the Federal Reserve on July 21. (Source: Bloomberg)
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Fed pushes back on White House claims of extravagant renovations
The US Federal Reserve is pushing back against claims from the White House that it is undergoing extravagant renovations with a video tour showing the central bank's ongoing construction. The video, posted on the Fed's website, includes captions explaining that the project is a 'complete overhaul and modernization' of two buildings that have not had major renovations since the 1930s. Direct pushback from the Fed is rare as the central bank tries to minimize public communication to preserve its non-partisan nature. But in recent weeks, the Trump administration has dramatically escalated attacks against the central bank, especially its chair, Jerome Powell, amid calls for the central bank to cut interest rates. The White House claims that the Fed mismanaged funds for renovations, which were approved in 2017 and were estimated to cost $1.9bn in 2019. The costs are now estimated to be closer to $2.5bn – Donald Trump has claimed 'it's possible there's fraud involved'. According to the Fed, the construction includes 'remediation and updates to make the buildings safe, healthy and effective places to work by removing asbestos and lead contamination, and accommodating modern workplace technology', the Fed said in a statement. The central bank also included an FAQ that directly responds to accusations from the Trump administration that the renovations include unnecessary and expensive modifications, like a VIP dining room and a garden terrace. 'No new VIP dining rooms are being constructed as part of the project,' the Fed said. The building 'has conference rooms, which are being renovated and preserved. They are also used for mealtime meetings.' Since the start of his second term, Trump has been trying to get the Fed to lower interest rates, even as the central bank resisted in light of his erratic tariff policies. As the Fed refused to budge, Trump has made it clear that he wants to fire Powell. But the supreme court suggested removing Powell could be unconstitutional, and Wall Street investors appear to be against the idea. The Trump administration seems to have grasped on to the Fed building renovations as a possible workaround. When asked last week whether he would fire Powell, Trump said, 'it's highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud'. Attacks from the White House continue. On Monday, the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, told CNBC that 'the entire Federal Reserve institution and whether they have been successful' needs to be examined. In Congress, the Florida representative Anna Paulina Luna referred Powell to the justice department, accusing him of lying under oath about the renovations.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Fed Takes Fresh Steps to Defend Renovations as White House Intensifies Attacks
The Federal Reserve on Monday took additional steps to defend the renovations underway at its headquarters in Washington, as top Trump administration officials show little sign of backing down from allegations that the roughly $2.5 billion project has been mismanaged. The central bank on Monday published a virtual tour of the active construction site, including footage of asbestos caulking being removed and the blast resistant windows being installed. The Fed, which has said that it has scaled back its initial plans, highlighted changes made to a 2021 proposal submitted to a little-known planning board. The Fed's renovation has become central to the administration's attempts to undermine and potentially oust Jerome H. Powell, the chair of the central bank. The White House has fixated on the project's cost overruns, as well as what it described as luxury features included in the initial plan submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission. Those had included new water fountains and a roof terrace for staff, neither of which are part of the latest proposal. The Fed has also clarified that its headquarters will not have a V.I.P. dining room or private elevators, both of which had previously garnered criticism from the White House. Top administration officials, including James Blair, the White House's deputy chief of staff, have demanded a tour of the construction site. On Friday, Mr. Blair, newly appointed to the National Capital Planning Commission, rejected an offer by the Fed to visit at 7 p.m. that evening and said he did not want to see the site after-hours. 'We want to see what's going on,' he told reporters. 'We want to see what the construction is like.' Mr. Blair has referred to the Fed's headquarters as the 'Taj Mahal on the National Mall.' He also has gone after Mr. Powell directly, posting a meme on social media of the central bank chair dressed as Marie Antoinette that read, 'Let them eat basis points.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Convicted killer spent €100k on 'grandiose' renovations to Limerick home, court hears
A convicted killer previously jailed for 'feud-related' offences who has never had a job spent €100,000 carrying out 'grandiose' renovations on his family home in Limerick, a court has heard. A sentencing hearing for Richard Treacy (36) of Downey St, Garryowen, heard on Monday that the house where the defendant lived with his partner and two children was purchased by another in 2014, and various renovation works were carried out over a number of years. Advertisement Lawyers for Treacy today objected to the term 'feud' being used by a prosecuting garda in relation to the defendant's previous convictions. Treacy's defence counsel, Lorcan Connolly SC, suggested the detective garda had gone 'off-piste' and that this was done in an effort to 'colour' the judges' view of his client. He made an application for the three-judge panel to recuse themselves and for another panel to be introduced, but this was rejected by presiding judge Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who said the judges were 'all very experienced' and were not of the view that there was a problem in them continuing. Treacy previously pleaded guilty that he, between January 1st, 2014 and January 12th, 2021, knowing or being reckless as to whether renovation work carried out at his home address was the proceeds of criminal conduct, did disguise the true source of the property. Advertisement The offence is contrary to section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. Detective Garda Ronan O'Reilly told prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC that on June 17th, 2020, gardaí searched the house at Garryowen and found £3,900 of sterling and €4,000 in a sock drawer of the bedroom. Two further quantities of cash were found in a kitchen cupboard. Treacy told gardaí in a voluntary memorandum that another person was the registered owner of the house and that renovation works were carried out on the property. Advertisement He said a family member gave him the €4,000 for an extension on the house. No explanation was given for the sterling, and Treacy said the two quantities, amounting to over €1,000, found in the kitchen were from savings and his dole money. Garda O'Reilly said Social Welfare and Revenue were contacted in relation to Treacy's work history and confirmed there was no record of the accused ever having been employed. There was evidence of some claims that had been attributed to Treacy from a number of court actions. He confirmed to counsel that a guilty plea was entered by Treacy on the first day of the trial, which had been expected to last two weeks, and it was accepted that €100,000 was spent on renovating the house. Advertisement Det Gda O'Reilly said Treacy resides at the property in question with his partner and children. He told the court Treacy has ten previous convictions, including for manslaughter, dangerous driving causing serious harm and violent disorder. Treacy also has previous convictions for careless driving and public order offences. Referencing the violent disorder offence, Det Gda O'Reilly said the defendant and some of his relations got involved in a violent disorder incident 'with a feuding other family in the city'. Regarding the manslaughter conviction, Garda O'Reilly said this was 'another feud-related incident'. He said the deceased was a relation of a high-end criminal in the city. Advertisement Lorcan Connolly SC, for Treacy, said this 'additional information' was unnecessary. He said Treacy's last conviction was nine years ago and highlighted that this coincided with the arrival of his children. In cross-examination, Garda O'Reilly agreed with counsel that the subject matter on the indictment was in relation to the renovation and the works were done over a number of years. He confirmed that no charges were brought in relation to the sums of money found in the house. Mr Connolly said his client resides at the property in question with his partner and two children. He said his client has an active role in his children's upbringing and has been a positive influence in their lives. He asked the court to consider the amount of money involved relative to other cases and to the passage of time involved, spanning a period of some seven years. He said the house was a 'relatively modest' home in a council estate and was not like other cases involving a 'palatial home' overlooking a scenic view. A period of nine years has elapsed in which Treacy has been 'trouble-free', he said. Mr Connolly said he was 'taken aback' by the fact that Det Gda O'Reilly had mentioned the word 'feud' in relation to his client's previous convictions. He said this was done off the garda's 'own bat'. He said prosecuting counsel had 'carefully' led the garda through his evidence, but Det Gda O'Reilly had gone 'off-piste' by mentioning feuds. He suggested the only reason for this was to 'colour' the court's view of his client. He made an application for the three-judge panel to recuse themselves and for another panel to be introduced. Ms Murphy said the evidence and the basis the plea was entered on was that monies had been paid for renovations on a home in the city centre, making it 'grandiose'. She said no evidence has been given in relation to those monies other than in circumstances where Treacy has been on social welfare. She said there was no evidence of him ever earning a living and that, bar some civil claims, there was no explanation for those monies. She said nothing had been said that wasn't true, and Det Gda O'Reilly had simply 'placed context' on Treacy's previous convictions. Ms Murphy said there was no evidence in relation to the plea before the court that linked it to the other matters. Ms Justice O'Connor said the three-judge panel were not prepared to recuse themselves and did not believe it was necessary to do so. She said the panel 'are all very experienced' and were not of the view that there was any problem in continuing. Mr Connolly said one of the key factors when it comes to a money laundering offence is the amount involved. He said this wasn't a 'standard case' where gardaí found €100,000 or €200,000 in a shoebox. He said his client's plea of guilty was valuable to the court and handed in a number of testimonials on Treacy's behalf. Ms Justice O'Connor adjourned the matter to October 20th for finalisation.
