SEC Investigates Miami Bonds issued for the Marlins Stadium

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating alleged fraud committed by the City of Miami to deceive investors, and has recommended that a civil suit be filed against the city. In a letter sent to the city, the SEC states that they have been investigating the bonds issued in 2007 and 2009 for the last two and a half years, and have concluded that the city moved money around to the general fund to appear stronger to investors prior to the bond sales. According to numerous news sources, the SEC is contemplating levying fines to the city, as well as a cease-and-desist order. Furthermore, the Miami Herald is reporting that letters were also sent to former city budget director Michael Boudreaux, and stated that at this time it is unknown “if any other city officials have also been targeted”.

This is not the first time the city faces the SEC, and with this latest allegation, it would make Miami the only city to be targeted by the SEC twice in the last 12 years. The previous indiscretion was the result of a very similar claim, in which the city was accused of moving money to the general fund to balance the books prior to a bond sale in 1995. This ended with a trial in 2001, during which the judge issued a cease-and-desist order and mandated the city to keep a reserve of 10% of the budget, something the city has failed to do for years now.

The current scandal is a result of 3 bonds sold in 2007, which accumulated to $233 million and an additional 3 sold in 2009, which added to $153.9 million, and the transfer of money from the gas tax and impact fees to the general fund. The SEC stated in its letter to those involved that they believed the money was transferred to deceive investors into thinking that the city was more financially stable than it really was. The money was supposedly transferred into the general fund to fill up the holes in the budget. As a result of the investigation, the SEC has recommended that civil charges be filled against the city, but also against some of the individuals involved. This is a new strategy which the agency has begun to impalement whereby they fine the individuals involved as opposed to placing that burden on the taxpayers of the city.

The SEC is also currently investigating the bonds issued by the to finance the new Marlins Stadium, according to the Miami Herald. If the city is indeed charged with having committed fraud during the sale of those bonds, it would be the 3rd such allegation by federal regulators in the last 12 years. This appears to have became and institutional problem for the city, with Joe Arriola, a former city manager, stating that over at City hall there is a “culture of incompetence”.

What will happen remains to be seen since the SEC has given the city and Mr. Boudreaux until August 6th to respond to the allegations presented against them. What is clear, is that the city will surely face challenges during future bond offerings.