Coconut Grove builder Doug Cox faces multiple lawsuits from lenders, buyers and investors collectively seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages and eviction from his home and office Danger.
Cox and his partner, Nicole Pearl, allegedly orchestrated a plan that involved selling Coconut Grove homes, some of which were nearing completion, to multiple buyers. He also allegedly lied to lenders and investors, according to six lawsuits filed in recent months against Cox, Pearl and their companies.
The eviction complaint states that approximately $180,000 in unpaid rent is alleged.
Miami-Dade County records show that 112 CC LLC is seeking to evict Cox’s Drive Development from its industrial space at 4234 NW 37th Avenue in Hialeah after the company allegedly failed to pay rent as of May 31. Drive Development’s lease began in May 2017, and an extension was exercised a year ago, according to a lawsuit filed in late June.
Cox is currently owed more than $24,000, including the June rent, the complaint said. The landlord, a firm led by Greg Zeifman, is seeking to recover the remaining rent owed on the remainder of the lease, totaling more than $151,000.
Cox did not respond to a request for comment. An attorney representing the owners, Kevin Diaz, declined to comment. Zaffman also did not respond to a request for comment.
In another complaint, Lourdes Lorenzo-Luaces sought to evict Cox from a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home at 2665 Inagua Boulevard in Miami , the home is close to many Cox properties. Realtor Lorenzo-Luaces accused Cox of failing to pay $12,000 a month in rent on March 8. She is seeking at least $29,000 in unpaid rent on the 2,556-square-foot home, according to the complaint, filed May 31. She and her attorney, John Paul Arcia, did not respond to requests for comment.
In a motion to dismiss, Cox, representing herself, said the landlord erred in the eviction petition by not attaching the lease to the eviction notice and including the three-day notice provided by Lorenzo Luces. Incorrect expiration date. A hearing is scheduled for later this month.
Earlier this year, a Miami-Dade County judge appointed Alan Fine as receiver to oversee the lawsuit against Cox, Pearl and their companies.
The point is, the buyer under contract alleges that Cox and Pearl deliberately delayed the completion of the house by months, sometimes years, as the buyer under contract repeatedly tried to get answers and closed on the property. The properties involved in the lawsuit are scattered throughout Coconut Grove, Coconut Grove Avenue, Byrd Road, Virginia Street, Gifford Lane, Woodridge Road, etc. Claims from buyers, lenders and investors total nearly $80 million, court records show. The properties are valued at about $65 million.
In a receivership motion filed Tuesday, Fine sought court permission to hire engineering firm and permitting accelerator MEP Consulting Engineers to help with permitting-related issues for the 12 Coconut Avenue properties that are nearing completion. The Department of Environmental Conservation had worked with the properties before recipients stepped in and agreed to close all permits and obtain certificates of occupancy. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for July 25. Fine could also work with the Department of Environmental Protection to finalize the completion of other residences included in the lawsuit.
