Under pressure from residents and elected officials, North Miami Deputy City Manager Arthur “Duke” Sorey presented an “Update on NoMi Red Garden” at the July 14, 2020 Virtual Regular Council Meeting.
To say things did not go well for him would be an understatement.
Duke was visibly nervous as he gave his presentation at minute 9:09 of the meeting video, in a desperate attempt to justify the $1,361,615 tax dollars he blew on his “Catalyst Weekend Event.”
The Mayor and Council looked mightily unimpressed as he foolishly projected potential revenue of $45,000 a month.
At the end of his frantic (“Next slide, Claude! Next Slide, Claude!”) 12-minute speech, it was clear to everyone watching that Duke Sorey’s $1.36 Million Red Garden Sinkhole was an colossal failure.
And he had nothing to show for all the money he blew.
Except, of course, 29,000 square feet of Artificial Turf worth $111,050.
Here’s your investment, North Miami residents.
Enjoy!
Then there’s the Great Tent Mystery, which cost North Miami taxpayers the sum of $100,373.
At minute 54:45 of the July 14, 2020 Council Meeting video, Councilwoman Carol Keys said to Duke Sorey, “And we don’t have anything left with the tents, right? Those were all rented. We had to give those back.”
All of a sudden, Councilman Alix Desulme appeared to be quite shocked.
He raised his hand and said, “WAIT, WAIT! Councilwoman, I thought we had two that we purchased and we sent the rest back?”
To which she responded with a laugh, “Don’t ask me!”
When Duke didn’t answer, Alix pressed, “Arthur, there were two that they said we owned, and the big one I knew we sent back.”
“No, we, we, we, we rented the tents,” Duke stuttered. “We were looking to purchase one …”
Alex interrupted, “All of the tents?”
Duke answered, “There are no tents at the Red Garden site right now, sir.”
“No, I know,” Alix responded. “But, I was told on numerous occasions that we were gonna send back the big one, and the other one, but the two small ones, they said the City – we own those.“
To which Duke replied, “No, sir.”
EXCEPT DUKE IS LYING!
Flashback to the January 28, 2020 Regular Council Meeting when, once again, Councilman Alix Desulme grilled Duke Sorey about the tents.
At minute 35:06 of the meeting video, Alix asked Duke, “Is it my understanding that these tents … alone are almost, over $100,000, and we only own one of them, and it’s only for two months. Is that accurate?“
Duke replied, “Um yes, that is accurate.”
To further prove our point, we direct you to the second of the two invoices from TDG Events totaling $163,000 for “decor, lighting, and event management,” which specifically states the Package Price for decor, furniture and lighting for the “PERMANENT TENT PURCHASE“ is $37,500.
Apparently, the folks from TDG Events were advised that the city had a “Permanent Tent Purchase,” which is clearly reflected on the invoice.
As an aside, we never received the second TDG invoice despite our many public records requests. It was, however, mysteriously attached to a July 13, 2020 Memorandum from City Manager Theresa Therilus to the Mayor and Council.
But, we digress.
We’re not sure why Alix was under the impression that the City purchased two tents or one tent, but either way, clearly Duke Sorey lied.
Which shouldn’t surprise anyone since this is only one of many lies Duke has told including and especially about the gaping budget hole that he’s been personally responsible for causing since being promoted to Deputy City Manager in 2016.
Meanwhile, it’s still a mystery whether or not the City of North Miami is the proud owner of a tent – or two. It’s anyone’s guess if we’ll ever find out.
But, wait!
THERE’S MORE!
Despite Florida law and a Miami-Dade County Ordinance governing community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), Duke Sorey tried to pull a fast one on the North Miami CRA by forcing it to pay for $173,162 worth of his Super Bowl Party expenses that were explicitly prohibited, as follows:
- $100,373 to Diamonette Party Rental for “party rental tent” (line 17 on Duke Sorey’s Spreadsheet)
- $4,673 to FPI Security, Inc. for “on-site security” (line 21)
- $64,694 to Innovative Multi-Media Services for “multi-media solutions TV and sound” (line 33)
- $207 to the NMCRA for “reimbursement to parks” (line 42)
- $2,800 to Express Waste of Miami, Inc. for “port-o-potty rental” (line 20)
- $416 to Stageline Mobile Stage, Inc. for “sound and video” (line 57)
In fact, even according to Duke’s own “color coded” Red Garden expenditure spreadsheet, the actual expenses paid by the CRA totaled only $370,176.
Which means that out of a total expenditure of $1,361,618, the City of North Miami’s General Fund paid the remaining $991,442.
Despite the fact that only $200,000 was budgeted for Duke Sorey’s Super Bowl Fiasco Party.
DEPUTY DUKE WENT NEARLY FIVE TIMES OVER BUDGET!
We can’t help but wonder if any other North Miami Director could get away with something like this and not get fired.
Just saying.
But, wait!
THERE’S MORE!
One hundred and forty eight (148) days after she made her initial public records request, North Miami resident Laura Hill finally received her Public Records Request 3875, dated February 20, 2020, as follows:
- A copy of each expense related to the Red Garden Superbowl party for each day it was held
- A copy of the amount of tickets sold, the amount of the ticket sale price received and a total sum of incoming revenue from the ticket sales
- A copy of any sponsors who contributed to the event and the amount of the contribution or type of contribution
After over a dozen follow-up emails, including copies to Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust Executive Director Jose Arrojo for his help, on July 17, 2020 at 5:18 PM – just hours after Duke’s Big Reveal to the Mayor and Council – Laura’s public records request was finally fulfilled.
We also now know why it took Duke five months to release the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news.
Based on Duke’s imaginary projections, his Red Garden Sinkhole was supposed to practically pay for itself with sponsorships, ticket and alcohol sales, and parking revenue for his “Catalyst Weekend Event.”
He also had to admit that his Super Bowl Party revenues only netted A WHOPPING $14,435.92!
However, when pressed by Councilman Scott Galvin at the July 14th meeting, Duke had to admit that THE CITY ACTUALLY LOST $600,000!
You will recall that the City entered into two $100,000 Revenue Sharing Contracts, one with Uncle Luke’s Records, LLC and another with Robert Rivera Consulting LLC. Apparently, Duke actually believed his Big Game Weekend would bring in at least $200,000 to cover at least the cost of those contracts.
Duke is now claiming that Uncle Luke reneged on his deal. At the April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Duke claimed that he “had the attorney send him a demand letter.” And now, according to Duke, the matter is “in litigation,” despite the fact that no lawsuit has been filed in either the Miami-Dade County Circuit Court or the U.S. District Court.
Yes, we checked.
According to the contract with Robert Rivera Consulting, the city would split 50/50 the net proceeds up to $80,000, and then get 20% of the profits thereafter. The contract also called for the city to “Provide In-Kind support up to $80,000,” although it doesn’t specify exactly what that means.
In any event, Robert Rivera Consulting fulfilled his end of the deal … but he was also paid an additional $174,800!
When Councilman Alix Desulme asked Duke to explain how that happened, he had no answer.
The bottom line?
North Miami taxpayers shelled out $991,442 for the privilege of hosting “Uncle Luke’s World Superbowl Experience,” and they have absolutely nothing to show for it.
Uncle Luke, on the other hand, publicly got all the credit for the extravaganza.
Regardless of the outcome of any pending litigation that Duke may be contemplating, Uncle Luke is still the Big Winner.
But wait!
Believe it or not …
THERE’S STILL MORE!
But, you’ll have to wait for Duke Sorey’s Folly, Part 2.
Stay tuned…
Stephanie
Sorey’s Folly, Part 2, unavailable.
I received the email but the link says page unavailable.
Please advise. When I go to the website, I see no “Part 2.”
My fault! I’ve been working on that blog, and I meant to click the “update” button, but accidentally clicked “publish.” I realized my mistake immediately and had to delete it. I’ll have Part 2 ready by tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully.
Let’s do a review of Mr. Arthur “Duke” Sorey III performances in the roles of interim city manager and deputy city manager between July 28, 2016 until now:
1) Four consecutive budget deficits in both roles along with former city manager Larry Spring totaling $ 28.0 million dollars. At least, Mr. Sorey did increase our deficit each year for another record setting year in NoMi while many local city governments had surpluses in their outcomes:
FY 19 – $ (14,697,136)
FY 18 – $ (8,182,442)
FY 17 – $ (4,842,075)
FY 16 – $ (347,319)
2) Loss of accreditation of our police department in April 2016 by your loyal support of previous police chief Leonard Burgess. How many years did it take our city to regain its accreditation?
3) Loss of accreditation of our MoCA museum in Spring 2019 which the new director worked very hard in getting our accreditation back as soon as possible.
4) Famous personnel hearings involving former assistant budget director, Terry Henley, in January and February 2019 where some city residents learn some of our city’s dysfunction operations in Mr. Sorey’s testimony along with Mr. Henley’s testimony such as:
“I went to Publix, got me a sub, and sat down at my desk with a Mountain Dew because that’s what I do when it’s budget time. I was locked in. I closed my door; I’m here for the long haul.”
What a freaking joke that you have made North Miami in being a good city!
5) Duke .. It is Irish Question Time at 7:30 AM in the morning .. How many people did you throw under the bus at City Hall with Larry Spring as his deputy? I am going to answer this question for you since some people in NoMi ignore my valid questions:
Emile Hollant
Neal Cuevas
Gary Eugene
Terry Henley
Janice Antoine
These are real people who you have ruined their lives forever along with Mr. Spring!
6) Let’s us not forgot your involvement with your friend, Derrick Corker, who was our former parks and recreation director with the alleged coverup of our uniform scandal involving the youth football and cheerleading programs at Cagni Park. In July 2018, our scandal begins in North Miami when the responsible adults and community volunteers, who are running the Cagni Park’s program, were told to purchase uniform from a pre-selected vendor by Mr. Corker. Then, we had allegations and charges that the firm had ties with Mr. Corker by these respsonsible adults and community volunteers. Next, we had the questionable investigation by our own police department in August 2019. Finally, we had the alleged coverup in early 2020 while Mr. Sorey was serving in his roles of deputy city manager and interim city manager and supervisor of his best friend in city hall, Derrick Corker, as our parks and recreation and cultural events director for our city. Per Voters Option, I would summarize one of your scandals by these words: “This entire scandal would have been swept under the rug, never to see the light of day had it not been for Ms. Tenikka Jones, who once again came before the City Council two weeks later with “very serious concerns” about North Miami Parks & Recreation Director Derrick Corker.”
7) Let’s us not forget about recent disclosures from our last city council meeting held on July 14, 2020 with agenda item # B which would have been swept under the rug as a consent agenda item if it was opposition from Vice Mayor Alix Desulme, Council Member Carol Keys, and concerned citizens like Laura Hill, Bill Simpson, Bob Pechon, Jessica Alston, Judy Brown, and many more people in NoMi who asked the tough questions along with you .. Stephanie .. regarding the performance and conduct of our public officials … appointed and elected in North Miami. Once again, Mr. Sorey was the person who oversaw the whole production of our “Stupid Bowl Party at the Dead Garden” fiasco over four days costing $ 1.3 Million Dollars and still increasing of city’s taxpayers dollars involving our general fund and our CRA fund. Wait until we see and read the lease for this property that you will disclose to the citizens and/or resident of North Miami.
However, the sad result is the vote of Council Member Scott Galvin who was the swing vote on Agenda Item B. Scott’s vote was the deciding vote in favor of city attorney’s resolution allowing for the legal justification with all of these questionable actions involving this recent fiasco without any accountability and/or responsibility by any city appointed official. Mr. Galvin claims that he is watchdog of public treasury and he is a fiscal conservative. Honestly, his vote shows that he is a wolf in sheep clothing. Mr. Galvin should acknowledge his sins in poor judgement with his claims that Larry Spring was the best city manager of North Miami along with his vocal support on FB with this recent fiasco which cost more than $ 1.3 million dollars.
My final question is: “Scott … How many times that you allow irresponsible people (i.e. Arthur Sorey, Sally Heyman, Mark Rosenberg, Larry Spring, etc) walk all over you as a public servant and get away with these questionable actions?” It is simple question from a 58 years old man who is paying for his mom’s property taxes in North Miami!
The entire council who is ultimately responsible for this should take big pay cuts. The city employees had to. The council should lead by example since they are the people who allowed this to happen. Maybe it is time to dissolve the city and let Miami-Dade County take over and run it. It surely can’t go on like this. The party is over and the fat lady sang and went home on the red garden super bowl event unless there is a big amount of cash and receipts coming in sometime in the future. No wonder Tab B was on the consent agenda, they wanted it to go away, but the worms are crawling out of the can.