BREAKING NEWS: Ex-Key West Building Official Faces Seven New Felony Charges

Monroe County grand jury Indicts Raj Ramsingh on seven more felony counts relating to additional properties.

Last week on Morning Magazine, Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward said more indictments could be forthcoming in the Bubba Bozo Trio case. He was right.

On Monday afternoon, a Monroe County grand jury returned an additional seven-count indictment charging Rajindhar Ramsingh with multiple counts of official misconduct in violation of Florida Statute § 838.022(1)(a) and (b).

It was unclear at press time if Ramsingh would turn himself in or if a capias (warrant) had been sworn out in his name.

Ramsingh had previously been charged with seven felony counts of falsifying official documents related to building permits and inspections while he was the city’s chief building officer. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine for each count.

For those keeping score, if served consecutively, that could total 70 years in prison, 70 years of probation, and $70,000 in fines.

That doesn’t include an additional felony charge for fraud valued at more than $50,000. That charge stems from the contracting and construction company Stryker/Avery Homes LLC allegedly steering more than $1.9 million into its coffers through five properties across eight building permits that the chief building officer allegedly falsified in his official capacity with the city.

More permits are in question, including those pertaining to work done under Ramsingh’s purview at the Casa Marina and the La Concha as well as at as many as several hundred other commercial and residential properties around the island.

According to sunbiz.org, Ramsingh’s LLC went dark in 2020, only to be reinstated around the second indictment in May, 2025.

That charge—a first-degree felony—carries a possible 30-year sentence, probation, restitution, and fines up to $10,000 if convicted. Ramsingh could also lose voting rights, firearm rights, and face professional licensing issues.

The new indictment alleges that between October 2021 and March 2024, while employed as a public servant in Monroe County, Ramsingh knowingly and intentionally falsified, concealed, altered, or covered up official records related to building permits issued by the city of Key West. These actions allegedly caused unlawful harm to the city of Key West and provided unlawful benefits to property owners.

The charges involve permits connected to the following properties in Key West:

• 511 Caroline St.—Permit Nos. BLD2019-3580 and BLD2020-1439 (at the time of permit closure, Curry Mansion was owned by the Amsterdam family. It is currently owned by One of One - Curry Mansion, Robert Spottswood Jr., registered agent.)

• 1209 Virginia St.—Permit Nos. BLD2019-1747 and BLD2020-2026 (Owned by Seaboard Housing, LLC; Incorp Services, Inc.)

• 510 Fleming St.—Permit No. BLD2022-0779 (Owned by Maryann Fernicato.)

• 1114 Olivia St.—Permit Nos. BLD2021-2534 and BLD2022-1504 (Owned by Dean and Traci Kettle.)

• 1800 Atlantic Blvd., Apt. 128C—Permit No. BLD2023-1801 (Owned by Catherine and William Wood.)

• 1504 18th St.—Permit No. BLD2023-2038 (Owned by Pavla Boan.)

• 1550 Fourth St.—Permit Nos. BLD2022-1629 and BLD2022-1772 (Owned by John and Elizabeth Povey.)

Each count of official misconduct is classified as a third-degree felony under Florida law, punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.

The indictment was presented and filed in open court on Sept. 15, 2025, during the spring term of the Monroe County grand ju

Previously, the Grand Jury had issued a scathing report leading to the previous indictments and spelling out a path forward for the City, which at least in the State Attorney’s eyes, hasn’t been doing enough in terms of following the recommendations — or the law.

“I can’t tell them how to run the city,” said Ward. “But following the law is not optional.”

All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is an evolving story. Watch this space.

Correction: At the time of permit closure by Ramsingh (10/14/21) 511 Caroline St. (Curry Mansion) was owned by the Amsterdam Family. It was purchased by One of One - Curry Mansion, LLC less than two months later ( 12/10/21.) Above the fold regrets the confusion.