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- [00:02]
Billy Corben
You're listening to Giraffe Kings Network. Craven the hunter who uses all the methods of the animals. Now witness the making of a new Marvel villain.
- [00:19]
Roy Bellamy
Once you're on his list, there's only one way off.
- [00:21]
Billy Corben
Karen Taylor Johnson is Craven the Hunter. Rated R. Under 17, 90 minute without parent. This year Santa's bringing the power of Energizer into his workshop.
- [00:31]
Roy Bellamy
Whoa.
- [00:32]
Catherine Kolurgis
The Energizer bunny's got so much power.
- [00:34]
Billy Corben
Wait, he's powered up all the toys. I think that means we're done for the year. I love this bunny. He's the hardest working helper the North Pole has ever seen. And he wants all your gifts to have the power of the number one longest lasting AA battery. So this holiday season, stock up on Santa's and the elves favorite battery, Energizer Ultimate Lithium. You can get the most important meal of the day any time of day. I'm Talking about the $5 Big Deal breakfast meal from Jack Box. Available all day and all night. A breakfast Jack with a freshly cracked egg, a hash brown and french toast sticks for five bucks. Sounds good for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Jack. Every bite's a big deal. Order Jack's $5 big deal breakfast meal now. This episode is brought to you by Amazon.
- [01:26]
Catherine Kolurgis
The holidays are here and you know what that means.
- [01:29]
Billy Corben
It's time to get your friends and family the gifts they deserve. Take the stress out of shopping. With Amazon's great deal and low prices on a huge range of items from.
- [01:38]
Catherine Kolurgis
Toys to tech and much more.
- [01:40]
Billy Corben
Whoever you're gifting for Amazon has great prices on everything you need this holiday season. Shop last minute deals now. December we could have a big ho ho ho. He looks like a giant toddler and he likes to beat his wife, beat his wife, beat his wife. Choco royal Beat his wife, beat his wife, beat his wife. Choc joy. I'll beat his wife. I have hit women. One time Joe fell off a ladder. Isis Bosa says it broken in their sex life. Doa, doa, doa Joe's sex life is doa, doa, doa like his wiener ran away. Kooky, kooky Little Joey, AKA Crazy Joe gets so mad at meetings that his head just might explode. Commissioner call him yarda Spineless be. Oh, and did I mention that he cannot get it up? Sociopathic bully Joe el esculo de burrito. No one talks to him on Christmas. Cause his daughters hate his guts, hate his guts, hate his guts. Both his daughters hate his guts, hate his guts, hate his guts. Evil, evil little butts My dad's hurting my mom.
- [03:05]
Roy Bellamy
What happened?
- [03:06]
Catherine Kolurgis
Oh, my dad's hurting my mom.
- [03:07]
Billy Corben
Oh, ho, ho. It's a very Corollo Christmas. Happy holidays to everyone except Miami's biggest bully and most corrupt commissioner. And to you, Roy.
- [03:31]
Sheridan Wall
Oh, thank you.
- [03:32]
Roy Bellamy
I appreciate it.
- [03:34]
Billy Corben
Happy Hanukkah to you. Shalom. Yeah. Looks like David Sampson was here. I see the menorah. Yeah, on the. On the desk. Is he in there somewhere? Dave, trust by one of the candles. How are you doing? Right, you're right. I haven't seen you in a minute.
- [03:48]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, I've been on vacation all of last week. So that's why.
- [03:53]
Billy Corben
Riding the Zamboni around. Around Miramar. What are you doing?
- [03:56]
Roy Bellamy
Zamboni floats. I was on a ship.
- [03:58]
Billy Corben
Oh, yeah. So really for about a week.
- [04:01]
Roy Bellamy
So, yeah, I'm refreshed somewhat now. I'm tired again.
- [04:05]
Billy Corben
Yeah, it took like, took four days. Actually. Took one. You're like this. Yeah, we have a fun show. It's not really that fun. It's kind of intense. Wait till you listen.
- [04:20]
Roy Bellamy
It's a real bond boner.
- [04:21]
Billy Corben
I've actually got. Got one of my favorite entrepreneurs in Miami, the owner of Sanguich de Miami, the best Cuban sandwich shop in the world. Daniel and his wife Rosa built one of the great Miami brands. And I think it's going to be hugely successful if they can only get their next door open in Miami, which it turns out not as business friendly as Mayor Francis Suarez would have you believe. Mayor Crtoba. Also, we are talking first about the Alexander brothers, who. This is an unbelievable story of power and privilege and now allegedly serial gang rape for the last several decades. I mean, this is a fun show. The Miami story for the ages. And if it turns out to be true, they're going to. They're going to do a lot of. A lot of time. But there is a fun show that I can recommend to you. Okay. What if I told you that a Miami developer and part time Medicare fraudster by the name of Roberto Antonio Francisco Emilio Rodrigo de Leon.
- [05:21]
Roy Bellamy
I'm in already.
- [05:23]
Billy Corben
What's his name again?
- [05:25]
Roy Bellamy
The Kimberly Mutumba.
- [05:29]
Billy Corben
Roberto Antonio Francisco Emilio Rodrigo de Leon. A descendant the lion. A descendant the lion. Yes, he is the lion of Lincoln Road. He is a descendant, he claims, of Spanish explorer, conquistador and Florida colonizer Juan Ponce de Leon. Well, he said he was searching. The claim was, you know, he was searching for the fountain of youth, but he was. And he was here to colonize Florida. Some people say it was a ponce scheme. I'm waiting for it. So he is planning on demolishing the entire 1100 block of Lincoln Road where the Regal movie theater and the burrito store is higher block. And he because he's going to build a 75 story luxury hotel condos. You know, we need housing. And these condos started $3 million. And in addition to world class entertainment and restaurants, there is going to be a multilevel 180,000 square foot Vegas style casino. The first legal casino in the history of Miami Beach. A place where every hotel used to have a bookie working, you know, semi secretly.
- [06:41]
Roy Bellamy
And obviously Lincoln Road is not a protected landmark.
- [06:45]
Billy Corben
Now here's the thing. Everything I told you is not true. Okay? This is the premise of a new play called Lincoln Road Hustle that is opening this weekend at Miami. New drama on Lincoln Road. And the premise of the show is the audience comes to the ceremonial groundbreaking of this giant casino. So you're right there on the 1100 block of Lincoln Road and it's like this huge press conference. And then you put on these headphones and you start to walk around Lincoln Road with tour guides and five little groups and you hear these different scenes happening around Lincoln Road, around this groundbreaking. And it all kind of comes together in this crazy ending. But what's wild is that Lincoln Road is the stage of the play. So people just walking by or people having dinner, they're like in the play. Everybody's just in the play and crazy shit happens. It's totally unpredictable. On the first night of previews there was a block party. So like people were just out on our stage basically where the actors are walking and talking. And at the movie theater someone pulled the fire alarm so the entire theater emptied out onto Lincoln Road where everybody was performing. So I co wrote the play. It's a lot of fun. It's a fun night out. It's a five drink minimum. It's not just for financial reasons. It also makes the show a little bit, a little bit better. A little social lubrication. What do you think? You think comedy clubs have two drink minimums because they want to make money? It's like. No, they want you to laugh, right? But it's a lot of fun. If you go to Deleon Casino, you can learn more and get tickets. It's a great Hanukkah present and it's playing now through February 16th, so. Also a nice Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day weekend. Dr. King holiday and I know a guy. So whenever you want tickets. 10% off. Roy. Okay, 10% off. Not only are you the middleman. You're the first man as well. Prominent real estate brokers with ties to Miami beach and New York arrested for their involvement in a sex trafficking scheme that dates back over a decade. Power, prestige, celebrity and money is what authorities in South Florida and New York say the Alexander brothers used to lure women and sexually assault them. The siblings known for their ties to very high end real estate. The Miami Dade county state attorney's office says three South Florida women in three separate cases have come forward. The twins and older brother Tal Alexander are also being charged to New York. The Alexander brothers work together and with others to repeatedly and violently drop drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of female victims. This is one of the most sensational and salacious stories of power, privilege and perversion to come out of Miami in quite some time. Which is quite an achievement you have to think in this town.
- [09:37]
Roy Bellamy
How much time are we talking about?
- [09:38]
Billy Corben
Like two weeks? Yes, at least in the last two. I would give it two years. But you know, real estate is the number one industry in Miami and Miami is the number two, I think luxury real estate market in the world behind Dubai if I'm not mistaken. And the Alexander brothers and their so called A team are among the top luxury real estate agents in Manhattan, Miami, the Hamptons, I think London, Colorado for a while they're all over the place where there is luxury real estate. I think they're ranked like the number one medium sized realtor teams in the nation. For years running they've done over a billion dollars a and transactions. Their celebrity clients included Adam Newman, Timbaland, Tommy Hilfiger. They sold Ken Griffin his $238 million penthouse in Central Park south in 2019, which was then the most expensive real estate listing in the US In Miami they were famously. Jared Ivanka's realtor sold him a $24 million home in the billionaire bunker next to neighbors like Tom Brady. These were like boy wonders and very well known. And they lived a lifestyle, a high rolling lifestyle that like matched their, their clientele as well. And so they were very well known, it turns out, not all that well liked. And I will tell you, when this story broke five months ago it was like nobody in Miami was shocked. It was like Harvey Weinstein. It was like this worst kept secret it seemed. We have joining us now the journalism team from the Real Deal, the preeminent real estate periodical online and elsewhere. This team are the ones who broke the story five months ago. So before we get into the breaking news of just this week, which is the indictments Multiple indictments. Catherine Colourgis and Sheridan Wall. You broke this story five months ago, and the story at the time was then civil lawsuits by multiple women against some variation of these. Of these brothers. There's the twins, and then there's another. So give us the lay of the land first on what was the breaking news five months ago before we kind of catch up to where we are today.
- [11:47]
Catherine Kolurgis
We started reporting on this in June. We got a tip that something was going on, and so we searched for lawsuits that had been filed against any of the brothers, Oren, Tall or Alon. And Sheridan found the two lawsuits in New York, and they were filed against Oren and his twin, Alon. So Orin is in real estate. Elan is in his family's private security business. And that's kind of how it got started. And then we started to hear from other alleged survivors of the brothers, and there was additional reporting in other publications with other accounts, and that's kind of how it got going.
- [12:28]
Billy Corben
Sheridan, what were the allegations being made in these lawsuits and how far back did they date?
- [12:35]
Sheridan Wall
So the initial two lawsuits that were filed, the alleged incidents occurred more than a decade ago, so it was pretty long ago. They were accused of rape in the lawsuits. And then there were two additional lawsuits that were filed, like, pretty soon after, one of which named Tall for the first time in any of these allegations, that one was also about rape. And then another lawsuit named just Oren, also alleging that he committed rape.
- [13:08]
Billy Corben
And was there a. In terms of. I know that the facts are disturbing, but was there or the allegations were disturbing, did a kind of pattern or practice emerge? Was there an MO Here? Did they occasionally diverge from the MO what did you learn early on about the allegations and how perhaps these alleged predators were praying early on, the allegations.
- [13:29]
Sheridan Wall
Sort of matched what came out in the indictment later, which was that some of the women alleged that they had been drugged or they felt like they had been drugged prior to any incidents occurring. One woman alleged that she had met Oren on a dating app, which later on the prosecutors in the indictment had mentioned a sort of pattern that they had created, one of which was to meet women on dating apps through social media. Some of the women had met Oren and Alon or Tall or a variation of the three on the. On the scene, going out to clubs, some mostly in New York City. So they had kind of met socially or at least, you know, in. In the nightlife, if not through other people that they knew. And then later on, more reporting surfaced from other allegations that were not in Lawsuits. But, you know, that included a mix of women who said that they'd met the brothers, you know, some through work as real estate agents.
- [14:35]
Billy Corben
And Catherine, the. Some of the allegations are these women were victimized by one of the men and one of the brothers. Others claim that there were that. I think gang rape is one of the allegations and in fact, one of the charges now this week. What happened? What are the allegations? What is the, the M.O. here? And a lot of this happened in Miami Beach, I understand, as well, or in and around Miami.
- [14:59]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah, they grew up in, in Miami. They went to high school here. You know, the indictment that was filed in the Southern District in New York kind of, you know, goes back to high school, that there were, that they allegedly gang raped girls when they were in high school. They, you know, it's like it's, it's as recent as in the, in the Miami case, the Miami Dade State attorney's case. The incidents that they cite allegedly occurred in 2016, 2017 and 2021. So it's like it's a very wide range of time where these attacks allegedly, you know, these alleged attacks occurred. But it's, it's start. You know, it's, it's dating back to high school.
- [15:48]
Billy Corben
And I think the attorneys involved have alleged that as many as 40, if not more women have come forward with allegations is that, I mean, and if this does date back to high school, it could be, I mean, multiples of that number.
- [16:02]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah, exactly. One of the plaintiff's attorneys had said to us early on, you know, that he had heard from. I can't remember exactly how many do you remember, Sheridan, but it was at.
- [16:13]
Sheridan Wall
The time that we had talked to him, it was 28, in addition to the two that had already filed lawsuits.
- [16:18]
Billy Corben
And that was six months ago, right?
- [16:20]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah, it was about. Yeah, five, six months ago. So that number just kind of increased.
- [16:24]
Billy Corben
So, Sheridan, catching up to this week, two things happened. There was an indictment, a federal indictment for sex trafficking in the Southern District of New York. And then there was state charges of rape against two of the brothers and I believe a cousin who still was still at large, and the other brothers were arrested by the FBI in their homes in Miami beach and I believe the Miami Beach Police Department as well. Can you kind of parse out what's happened here with the federal versus the state of Florida charges?
- [16:52]
Sheridan Wall
Yes. So in, in New York, they are facing a federal charge of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. They will. Yesterday at a press conference, the U.S. attorney, Damian Williams, said that they will work on bringing them to New York to face those charges. But for right now, they're in Miami. They were. They went in front of a judge this morning for a bond hearing. They were denied bail or bond for one on. For Oren for one of the charges he's facing, three in Miami and alon for the sole charge that he's facing there. So these cases are. They are separate. But the U.S. attorney did thank the Miami FBI, the Miami PD for cooperating. So they are kind of, you know, in tandem on this arrest at least, and they are aware of. Of the ongoing cases in each jurisdiction.
- [17:46]
Billy Corben
That is a rough trip without bond. That is the conair trip. I think that's a bus and two planes in custody for guys that are used to a very different kind of a lifestyle, not only selling luxury, but living in luxury in some of the most expensive and beautiful cities of the world. Catherine, what is. I guess what is the difference, just so we understand, between the state charges and the state seems to get much more specific. Federal fields a little broader to me reading the indictment.
- [18:16]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah. So the state is more specific because they name, you know, these like, incidents with. With alleged victims with, you know, using their initials. It's interesting because Tal is not facing any state charges, so he is currently in federal custody in Miami. I believe that, you know, eventually the federal case will take over. I don't know exactly when that happens, but for now, they, you know, they went before Judge Mindy Glaser this morning. They'll go back before a different judge tomorrow morning. I just believe that the federal will trump. Will trump the state case. You know, the state charges.
- [18:52]
Billy Corben
Sure. This question, I guess, last question is for. For the both of you. You work for therealdeal.com. this is a real estate periodical. Periodic. Is that still a thing? Do we call things periodicals? Am I showing my magazines?
- [19:05]
Roy Bellamy
Right?
- [19:05]
Billy Corben
Yeah, periodic.
- [19:07]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah.
- [19:08]
Billy Corben
But periodical means it's distributed periodically or released period. And now, I mean, are you figured it out? I don't know. I'm just. I. I'm feeling. I'm feeling old. I just felt really old saying that. Yeah, periodical. Yeah, it's the old timey periodical. Anyway, sorry, I digress.
- [19:22]
Roy Bellamy
Get on a newsstand.
- [19:23]
Billy Corben
Yeah. Yes, I'm gonna go down to the newsstand to Hudson News at the airport. Oh, my God. So. But this is for both of you. So let's talk about the reaction in the real estate community itself, because obviously there is the tragedy of this situation for the accusers and the alleged victims. But I mean, the way I've heard It described down here in Miami is schadenfreude is the description I've heard. I mean, what is. They had a bit of a reputation for ruthlessness in their business. So can you tell us, I guess, Sheridan, you could take it first and Catherine, you could wrap us up. What has been the reaction from the people that you've talked to who are colleagues, peers, coworkers, et cetera, in the luxury real estate world?
- [20:07]
Sheridan Wall
So you're right that, you know, initially we had heard from several people who said that they had, you know, that there were rumors circulating about them for years. And what exactly those rumors were, we don't necessarily know. And there's definitely a large difference between the kinds of charges that are being levied against them now, which is really extreme rape and sexual assault, sexual battery. There's certainly a big difference between that and just womanizing and dating around and being kind of ruthless in business and really being in the party scene and really being around lots of women. So to the extent that, like, you know, were those rumors related to, you know, things such as extreme as what is laid out, we don't necessarily know. But it didn't, you know, some of the people we talked to pretty regularly, it didn't necessarily surprise them. Real estate is a business where, you know, a lot of agents are. They're all 1099 contract employees. So workplaces don't always function the same way as traditional, you know, corporate roles. So people rely a lot on relationships and building connections. And, you know, your, your money comes from the business that you do and the connections that you have. And so, you know, kind of, if you're, especially for agents that are newer or, you know, they're kind of looking at these guys that have made such a name for themselves in the industry and are kind of at the top of, of the game, it's intimidating to come forward with any kind of, you know, allegations. So certainly, you know, within the industry, it's tough to, you know, stand up for yourself when you're in an environment, you know, where all the money you make and all of the other kind of clout you get just comes from. From your reputation.
- [21:49]
Catherine Kolurgis
Yeah. And I think too, like, what was interesting, and I don't know that we necessarily expected this, was when the story, when our first story came out about the two lawsuits in June, our Instagram comments blew up. I don't know if you, if you've seen that, Billy, but. And they've continued to. And it's been a place where people are talking about what they you know, what they knew, what they had heard other, you know, alleged survivors were posting. So it was just like, I think that they operate, they allegedly operated in a way that in business and personally where it was very like high pressure and people, you know, in a way people are living paycheck to paycheck and they're living commission to commission. So like Sheridan said, it's, it's different. Like you have to rely on these relationships. And I think by, you know, by none of this coming out until now, it just kind of like it fueled itself.
- [22:48]
Billy Corben
Yeah, justice delayed is not only justice denied in a case like this, but it allows the Runway for additional praying. If that's in fact what happened here, obviously with the allegations, if they are in fact proven, there were many more victims that perhaps did not have to be victimized because this was like kept on the down low as it was. And I think is proven by the response to your Instagram and in your comments. There may not have been any justice here at all for these alleged victims, if not for your reporting, because it was the amplification of the story and the publication of the news of the initial lawsuits that, that I guess empowered these women to come forward to the state Attorney's office in Miami Dade county and to the Southern District of New York. So thank you for your outstanding work. Keep it up. Catherine Kolurgis and Sheridan Wall. TheRealDeal.com thank you for having us.
- [23:41]
Sheridan Wall
Thank you.
- [23:45]
Roy Bellamy
What's up everybody? Tony here. Do you love sports betting as much as I do? Wish you can get that extra edge. Well, I've got great news for you Masterclass, which I love by the way. Just dropped. Bet Smart Top Sports Betting Strategies, a game changing course taught by goats, taught by the pro. Pros such as Nick Costos, Captain Jack Andrews, Joe Foughtenbaugh learn directly from the pros as they share insider secrets on managing your bankroll, spotting hidden gems and avoiding those rookie mistakes that could cost you big. I'm always looking for useful tips and tricks to improve my bankroll and just to be a better bettor in general. That's why I took the betsmart Top Sports Betting Strategies class. I consider myself a pretty confident better when I hear Rob Pizzola. When I hear Captain Jack break down the pros and the cons of flat stick making of protecting your bankroll against bad bets. A lot of different things that we don't think about as regular betters. I realized I wasn't betting to my full potential and that's why I love taking this class With Masterclass. Masterclass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50%. Head over to masterclass.com DLB for the current offer. That's up to 50% off. Masterclass.com DLB masterclass.com DLB and remember, all sports betting involves risk and you're responsible for complying with all sports betting laws in your jurisdiction.
- [24:59]
Billy Corben
Right now, my friends over at Simplisafe are extending their massive Black Friday deal for our Lerd show listeners. Simplisafe is the home security I trust to keep my home and family safe. I've been telling you that for years. This is your last chance to protect your home at Simplisafe's lowest prices of the year. Simplisafe is a new way to protect your home that stops intruders before they break into your home. Old school systems only take action once someone is already inside your home. That's too late. Simplisafe's Active Guard Outdoor Protection changes the game by preventing crime before it even happens. Simplisafe is extending its massive Black Friday deal for our listeners this week only. You can take 50% off any new system with a select professional monitoring plan. This is your last chance to claim their best offer of the year. Head to SimpliSafe.com DLB to claim your discount and make sure your home is safe. Safe this season. Don't wait. This offer won't last long. Keep your home, your family and your peace of mind protected with Simplisafe. There's no safe like Simplisafe. The holiday home stretches here and when you're crossing names off your holiday list.
- [26:05]
Roy Bellamy
You can't forget about your pets.
- [26:07]
Billy Corben
Dopey and Izzy would never forgive me if I did. And Chewy is the only name I need to know for everything to keep my pet happy and healthy. That's why Chewy's perfect. You just. Just go home, relax, kick your feet off and shop online for your pet. And with the holiday shopping season winding down, Chewy is giving us a gift. Huge savings. Up to 40 or even 60% off. Flash deals, bogos and so much more. Not just for dogs and cats, birds, fish, reptiles and more. Chewy's auto ship feature is the real stress reducing hero. I've set up recurring shipments for all the essentials we use and they show up to my door just one to two days later. I'm never running out and can change or cancel my auto ship order at any time. The other day I was going feed my doggies. Dopey and Izzy As I mentioned earlier, you know them. And I said, you know what? I'm running low. Let me check something. Boom, right there. I had an auto ship notification in my email saying the dog food was coming tomorrow. Chew it's not just dog food. You can get treats like greenies that keep my dog smiles pearly white. Don't forget gifts for your pets. This holiday season, take advantage of amazing deals and shop my personal favorites@chewy.com Damn. That's chewy.com Damn.
- [27:08]
Roy Bellamy
Chewy.com Dan my name is Daniel Figueiredo and I'm a resident of Silver Bluff. I am also the owner of Sandwich that Miami and I'm here. Interesting turn of events. I wasn't going to speak, but Steven Mito did something pretty admirable. He apologized. And he apologized for the pain that he had caused our business at the hands of Joe Caroyle. You know that that was very big of you. So you're forgiven, brother. Joe, you once called me a coward on national television and I'm here in front of you wearing my shirt. I'm still standing. Karma is cold and it creeps in in the bed at night and I hope you sleep well knowing what you've done to the community of Little Havana and someone like me.
- [28:13]
Billy Corben
Daniel Figueiredo and his wife, Rosa Romero, are two of my modern Miami heroes. They risked it all to pursue their dream of opening a small business and making it the world's greatest Cuban sandwich shop. But they nearly lost everything in the process. They personify not only the American dream, but the spirit of the Miami hustle. Against all odds, they risked everything to build a powerful family business, create a proud local brand from nothing with their bare hands. All while their own city government waged a war against them, tried to crush their dreams and put them and their beautiful children out on the street with nothing. And not because of anything they did, mind you, but because one petty, pathetic man, Miami's biggest bully and most corrupt, Commissioner Joe Corollo, had a personal vendetta against their first landlord, something we've talked about on this show for years. And he was willing to abuse his power and weaponize the city government to violate local and state laws and the Constitution of the United States. But the people of Miami rallied around Rosa and Daniel and their ridiculously hard work. And they overcame all that adversity and not only survived, but thrived. Daniel and Rosa won, and the corrupt bullies lost. A nice change of pace for the Miami Mafia here, who is usually undefeated, as we know. And Miami is Better for this. I know I am. Their perseverance inspires me and helps give me the strength to face this every day. They founded Sanguich DE Miami in 2015, which has repeatedly, internationally and accurately been declared the home of the world's greatest Cuban sandwich. I'm partial to the media noche the Miami sandwich if you're into turkey and their new ham, ham, egg and cheese. Roy, they have breakfast offerings now is that's probably my new favorite. However, their Cuban is hands down the best Cuban sandwich in the world.
- [30:28]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, not like that crap in Tampa.
- [30:30]
Billy Corben
I'll tell you that. Yes. You know, with that salami from the famous Cuban town of Genoa, you know, I mean, come on now. Daniel, I'm so thrilled to. After. After that introduction, you might just want to say goodnight. You know, just quit while you're here.
- [30:42]
Roy Bellamy
Goodbye and thank you.
- [30:43]
Billy Corben
But I'm so thrilled that you're here. I want to get into some of the kind of logistics of what it takes to be a successful small business owner in Miami, which is like mission impossible. I touched upon it a little bit, but how does this story start? It's you and Rosa, a dream in a shipping container on Kayocho. Tell us about some of those early headwinds and what the hell happened at the beginning of this adventure.
- [31:12]
Roy Bellamy
Thank you for the introduction. You know, when Rosa and I decided to leave our careers, we wanted to pursue something like a simpler life. Rosa and I, I was traveling quite a bit. Rosa was in the legal field and you know, she was doing an ungodly sum of hours for the firm. And we had our first born daughter, our daughter in 2015. And we decided, hey, listen, this is not just the lifestyle that we want to live, so let's do something simpler. Right? And it was my bright idea to open up a sandw shop. So go figure. My idea of being home every day and I don't know, making sandwiches for the public and having some sense of community was just. It was very attractive and romantic. So we started chipping away at it and we came across. We obviously started working with Bill. Bill offered us a location.
- [32:11]
Billy Corben
This is just for clarity. This is Bill Fuller and he's most famously known as a co owner of Ball and Chain, the historic nightclub on Miami's historic Coyote in Little Havana. But also a very prominent property owner in and around Miami.
- [32:28]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah. And I think it's important to say that one of the things that I admire about Bill is to maintain Coyote and Little Havana what it is and what we all enjoy. Little Havana to be and building a brand, I felt especially the brand that we wanted to build, it would, you know, aligning ourselves with that community was just our secret sauce. I think it was going to be the best platform for us to succeed. So Bill came to us and he said, hey, listen, I got this great property here that I think we can do something with and give us some thought. Originally it was going to be in the Futurama building, but after some due diligence I said, hey, we probably can. Based on the type of zoning laws that we currently have at the time in the city of Miami and the use of the property and the use of my idea, I think it was executable. So my background has been in design, architecture, engineering. And so I knew that if we did a shipping container, the shipping container would in private property afford us the opportunity to exercise our concept. So we got all the appropriate documentation, we had the use, we got our DBPR health license and we went to work. So when we opened it was a huge success. I'm not sure if you have any footage of that, but when we opened, the day we opened, we had over 300, almost 400 attendees just show up at our bentanita. And it was a kick in the gut because here we are. I have no experience in the food industry and to my surprise and our surprise, the community really rallied behind the brand and took to it. So we, we had an incredible responsibility to uphold the integrity of the food and the quality of the experience and the brand in an environment that I felt needed it. You know, Little Havana being Little Havana, I felt that we were just kind of the right fit for the community. And it was, it was a really beautiful time up until Joe Corolla, you know, won his election and that fateful, I would say it was just, it was, I believe it was November 22nd. My memory serves me correct when we all learned that Joe Corollo was the going to be the commissioner. And honestly I had, if I can be totally transparent, I don't give a about politics. I didn't give a whether it's gonna be Joe Corollo or Alphie Leone. At the time I was just like, I just wanted to sell sandwiches. That's really was my only focus. And I had no idea that, you know, the level of evil that we were going to be facing with that fateful Tuesday or Thursday, whatever it was, when we were bombarded by police and fire and code enforcement inspectors and what have you to attempt to close us down because they felt that we were running an illegal Operation which of course you were not.
- [35:22]
Billy Corben
You knew you were not the city. The city already told you you were not.
- [35:25]
Roy Bellamy
At one point, at one point the rumors were that I was running a meth lab.
- [35:29]
Billy Corben
Oh, really? Yeah.
- [35:31]
Roy Bellamy
True story.
- [35:31]
Billy Corben
Listen, those sandwiches are pretty addictive, not going to lie, you know.
- [35:36]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah. People thought was putting crack in the ham.
- [35:38]
Billy Corben
The harassment was unceasing. You just said the police like stormtroopers. I mean this is what was how you guys were being raided. All of Bill Fuller's properties and any businesses affiliate with him were being raided. I mean this was a, this was a personal vendetta where the government was being weaponized against legitimate, hardworking small business owners.
- [36:02]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah. And I think it's important that I preface this is that I was, I'm not in politics, I've never been in politics. And so I always felt that, you know, there is a formality and I felt that I wanted to extend the olive branch and really introduce myself. So I took it upon myself to go see Join Coroyo and I sat down with him very early on and I really wanted to understand what was, what was, why was he trying to pick a fight? And, and I thought we were in a bridge building economy, right. We wanted to help our fellow entrepreneurs and build relationships in our community. And here he was taking a sledgehammer and destroying an honest family. And honestly not, I thought something was going to come from it and it just perpetually became worse.
- [36:48]
Billy Corben
That's interesting. You established clearly and honestly that you, you're apolitical, you don't give a shit about politics. But more importantly here though too, you had no beef with this guy. I don't know that you even knew who this guy was from Alfie or from Adam or from anybody.
- [37:01]
Roy Bellamy
I didn't give a shit. I don't care if it was Adam or Paul or Brian or Jamie. Ringo, you represent, at the end of the day, you are an elected official whose principal job is to, to promote and encourage your constituents and your base. And you don't go in there with a wrecking ball and a torch and charcoal and light the whole place on fire for a personal vendetta. Right. I think we're all grown, grown men and there are going to be many people that are going to agree or disagree with me. But at the end of the day, my job to do what's right by my community.
- [37:44]
Billy Corben
When you go to your government and you say, hey, we don't need your help per se, you're not looking for a handout, we just need you to do what you're here to do, which is to assist business owners and residents with the permitting process. The basic legalities of opening a new small business and the government not only fails to fulfill their minimum responsibilities to the taxpaying public, but instead they actually proactively work to destroy you. How bad did it get? I mean, what was the lowest freedom?
- [38:17]
Roy Bellamy
They nearly bankrupted me. So we spent a considerable amount of money on the build out and obviously everything that goes along with it, the architectural, the building, the establishment, the food, the employees. And to have the rug pulled from underneath you was. It was a very sharp moment in our existence as a brand and as a family. So here I have two young kids, they're one and two. And we're just. Obviously, Rose and I were very successful in our academic careers, and so we didn't have to do this. I didn't have to do that for like 12 bucks an hour right at the time. And when that was, when that was basically ripped from our grips, it put us in a financial spiral. And Rose and I were on food stamps for a little over six months. My kids got on their medicare plans. And at one point, I remember asking my neighbor, as I was building out the second location, I remember asking my neighbor, I was like, hey, listen, can you do me a favor? I'm running out of cash and would you be able to buy some milk for my kids?
- [39:32]
Billy Corben
You now have four locations by my count, if my count is correct. So this is definitely a story with a happy ending. But I want to play something for you and ask you a quick question.
- [39:44]
Roy Bellamy
Yeah, go ahead. I think it can be what I.
- [39:47]
Billy Corben
Call the capital of capital.
- [39:48]
Roy Bellamy
A place where if you want to build a business, if you want to innovate, there is no better place. We've streamlined the process by reducing unnecessary processing of additional special permits and creating additional opportunities for projects. Permit applications are now able to access and download their certificate of occupancy through the Internet. We've enabled Miamians to request after hours of fire inspections online. Local businesses are now able to download their certificates of use and business tax receipts. Fancy way of saying we've made it easier.
- [40:22]
Billy Corben
We've made it easier, says Miami mayor Francis Suarez, the head.
- [40:27]
Roy Bellamy
The head of the business prevention district.
- [40:30]
Billy Corben
The Business prevention. Oh, no. The bpd. Francis Suarez has been the biggest cheerleader for Miami, as we know all over the world.
- [40:38]
Roy Bellamy
How can I help?
- [40:39]
Billy Corben
For years now, and all I keep hearing, and that was a very tiny sample of just, you know, him going on ad nauseam on every national and International platform saying Miami is business friendly. We are deregulating, we are streamlining the permitting process, making it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to open up their shops and be successful. And you have all the tools and Miami's business friendly. Business friendly. Business friendly. You had that experience now times three in Miami once in the city of Coral Gables, which is a different city, but in Dade County. What has your experience been with how business friendly Miami is?
- [41:19]
Roy Bellamy
It's the antithesis of that, quite honestly. You know, it's, it's, it's very difficult to kind of cut through the bureaucracy of our municipality and understand what we need to do to open a restaurant. Like, for instance, bayside. Took me three years and it's 500 square feet.
- [41:37]
Billy Corben
Three years.
- [41:38]
Roy Bellamy
Yep.
- [41:39]
Billy Corben
To open a 500 square foot restaurant. Restaurant, yeah.
- [41:42]
Roy Bellamy
Three years.
- [41:42]
Billy Corben
Were you paying rent during that time?
- [41:44]
Roy Bellamy
No, thankfully. No, thankfully. I had an abatement period until I negotiated that. Once we were able to open, that's when our rent commencement began. But nevertheless, it takes a toll on a big financial picture of a business because you've got all this expense tied into a location that isn't generating any income. And that's not 100% at fault of the municipality, but, but also Miami Dade county with their, with their Durham and their processes and other like, you know, endless amount of paperwork and bureaucracy and hurdles. And unfortunately, you know, if you don't know anybody here in the city of Miami, it's very difficult for you to get anything done. So I've been, unfortunately, you know, I hate to say it, but, you know, as you start to grow your economy of scale here, you really get to know people and you can pick up the phone and say, hey, like, what the going on? Can you help push this along? And that shouldn't, that shouldn't happen. I think everyone who wants to come into the city of Miami or anywhere that wants to open a business, it should be a real clear course to completion, and it's not. I remember, I'll tell you, I'll tell you this. I had, I was building out this commissary and Billy, you've been here to our commissary in our office and outstanding. I've been very fortunate to kind of cut through all the bullshit and grow my business despite, despite all the impediments that we faced. But I had an inspect. It was a reviewer once that I was sitting down. I really needed some clarity in some of these comments because these comments just kept dragging on endlessly. Right? Everyone's trying to cover their Ass. And there's just too much liability at stake and there's a lot of fear going on and people are walking on eggshells. So I'd sit there and I talked to this guy and ask him, hey, I really need clarity here. I've been in this project now for eight months and I need to finish this by two months. And he, he looked me dead in the face and he said, oh, you're eight months, this is incredible, man. You should consider yourself lucky. This process usually takes two years. And I was floored. I was like, how dare you speak to me like that? Because you sit here on the other side of this table and you have your, you have your salary, your salary, you're, you're working on your pension and you don't have a lot of disruption. You get here at 8 o'clock and you check out at 4. You take an hour and a half lunch, you take your seven day, two week vacations, right? While people like me are stimulating the economy, people like me are investing in a process. It's important that I open up not just for my sake, but for those that are working for me. I'm contributing to the ecosystem of our city. You're preventing me from opening my doors. And you think it's cute by saying, oh, you're ahead of yourself. And I think that's the idea that's happening all across the board.
- [44:31]
Billy Corben
You don't just contribute economically, you contribute culturally to this community. And three years to open a 500 square foot restaurant. It takes nine months to make a baby, for crying out loud. I'm sorry. It takes a woman nine months to make a baby. It takes a man about 30 seconds. It's a very expensive 30 seconds, I'll have you know. But, Daniel, I could talk to you all day about this. And I want to talk more in the future about how to solve these problems, since the government here in Miami is clearly not working to do it. Regardless of what they tell the world on television, it's not just a hard work, it's just a superior product. That's why everybody who tries it goes, holy shit, this is just the best.
- [45:14]
Roy Bellamy
It's incredible. Listen, I'm not in politics, but every time I talk to an entrepreneur, I was like, if all the these entrepreneurs took leadership positions within their city, I think we can really turn it around because we see things through different optics. And I would say that one of the major impediments of the city, obviously is the building department. It needs a massive overhaul. It's that theory of change that needs to happen, and it needs to happen principally there. And I think once you do that, you have conversation with the business community on what we can do better and really open up that pathway. I think there can be real change. But so long that we're all in this self serving, you know, stage of politics, I don't, I don't see, I don't see. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel.
- [45:56]
Billy Corben
In the city of Miami, the government doesn't work for the people. The people work for the government. And that is just back ass words. But you heard the mayor, he's fixed the building department, so don't worry about it.
- [46:05]
Roy Bellamy
If you put garbage in, you're going to get garbage out.
- [46:08]
Billy Corben
Daniel Figuero, Sanguich, Miami. My best Rosa and the family. Happy holidays, my friend.
- [46:13]
Roy Bellamy
Thanks, brother. Have a good one, man. Howdy folks, it's Mike and guess what? It's Miller time. The holiday season brings around lots of joy and also lots of family. Lots of family gatherings at your home. You're inviting people in there. You want to make sure they're happy. Why don't you make their time at your place? A Miller Time. Pass around that beautiful white can of triple hops. Brood Miller Light and watch the smiles adorn those faces. Make Miller Light the official drink. The official beverage of your holiday get together. You know why? Because it is a perfect beer for the holiday season. You'll take a sip, you'll look around and you'll think immediately, yeah, I made the right call. It's got tastes that you can depend on. No games, no gimmicks. Just great beer. For people who like beer, making memories at year end gatherings tastes like Miller time. Go to millerlite.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Fewer calories and carbs than premium regular beer.