05/27/2026
It took approximately 5 years of investigations before any arrest took place but homeowners complains and rumors started years before Miami Dade’s State Attorney office began looking into the Hammocks Community Association in 2017.
The news 🗞️ 📰 broke this past April 30th -same day Gallego pleaded guilty and was sentenced- but I wanted to point out how long it took to get there:
• First major arrests: In November 2022, five suspects were arrested, including former HOA president and alleged ringleader Marglli Gallego, her husband Jose Gonzalez, and others. This marked the public breakthrough after the multi-year probe.
• Subsequent arrests: More followed (up to at least 8 total by late 2024), including relatives, vendors, and the accountant/controller. Pleas and sentencings in 2026.
The fraud itself reportedly spanned several years (e.g., consulting/vendor payments from ~2018–2022, with broader activity possibly earlier). The investigation was described as “years-long” and complex due to the scale, family involvement, and financial trails.
Called “One of the largest HOA fraud cases in the U.S”, from the very few that have been investigated in the past 30+ years.
Fortunately, the Hammocks HOA scandal inspired Florida lawmakers to introduce and pass reforms aimed at increasing transparency, criminalizing certain abuses by board members and/or property managers, and giving homeowners more tools to combat fraud, kickbacks, mismanagement and lack of oversight.
For educational purposes, would you like to learn about the recent Florida House Bills and reforms designed to increase transparency and accountability for HOA board members and property managers alike? I’d be happy to share the details — please contact me!
Marglli Gallego was supposed to be a savior for The Hammocks, South Florida’s largest homeowners association. Instead, as President she led an $11 million scheme that brought the West Kendall community to its knees.
For nearly a decade, Gallego and her associates hired bogus vendors and used the funds to enrich themselves – spending the funds on travel, wire transfers to Colombia, and other personal expenses. Any homeowners who tried to speak out were bullied and threatened with unjust fines.
Gallego and her husband Jose Antonio Gonzalez maintained their innocence for nearly four years. Now, they’re pleading guilty and facing the music.
Get the full story of the scandal rocking South Florida’s largest HOA via the link in the comments.
