On September 10, 2026, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced that two Miami‑Dade County residents have been formally charged with participating in a kickback scheme that allegedly diverted thousands of dollars from a local homeowners association. The announcement came after a months‑long investigation into the management of the Venetian Gardens at Country Club of Miami homeowners association.
The individuals named in the indictment are Carlos Mejia and Richard Thomas Murray. Both are identified as residents of Miami‑Dade County and are accused of colluding to obtain illegal payments from the homeowners association. According to the charging documents, the alleged scheme involved steering contracts or services in exchange for kickbacks that were then funneled to the defendants, resulting in a loss of funds that the association could have used for community maintenance and improvements.
Investigators focused on how the Venetian Gardens association handled vendor relationships and financial oversight. The probe uncovered evidence suggesting that Mejia and Murray exploited their positions to secure undisclosed remuneration, effectively stealing money that belonged to the association’s members. While the exact amount has not been disclosed, prosecutors described the theft as amounting to “thousands of dollars.”
State Attorney Rundle said the charges reflect a broader effort to protect homeowners from fraudulent practices within community associations. The case underscores the importance of transparent financial management in homeowners associations and the role of the state’s legal apparatus in addressing alleged misconduct.
Mejia and Murray are now facing criminal charges and will appear before a Miami‑Dade County court for their initial arraignment. The legal process will determine whether the allegations result in convictions, and the State Attorney’s office indicated that further actions may be taken against any additional parties found to be involved in the scheme.