I always like to keep up with the doings of Rodney Barreto who seems to always have a lot of “doings” going on — besides being the ill-suited choice to head Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (What were you thinking Governor Crist? Oh, that’s right, someone has to raise money for your campaign.) Back to Lobbyist Rodney Barreto. I always find something new when I dig around in his records.

The entire 466 acres surrounded in red (above aerial photo) was purchased in 2005 by Krome Gold Ranches II, LLLP (yes there are 3 L’s) for $44,608,600. Krome Gold’s General Partner is Krome Gold Ranches Management, LLC. Armando Guerra is the managing member for the partnership. Our own Rodney Barreto is also named in the corporate papers as is Agustin Herran.

Barry Brandt et al had an option agreement dated March 6, 2006 to buy 240 acres (see yellow lines). According to court documents, the $2,500,000 deposited by the defendant (Brandt et al) is non-refundable pursuant to the option agreement. On October 19, 2007 the Circuit Court awarded the Krome Gold Gang the deposit made by Barry M. Brandt, Trustee of Krome 124-136 Land Trust u/i/d 3/02/06 and Manuel Diaz. I could not find any corporate or partnership listings for Krome 124-136. Barry Brandt et al, you might remember, was one of the applicants (No. 23) trying to move the Urban Development Boundary in the 2005 cycle to amend the Comprehensive Development Master Plan.

So, although the buyers reneged on the deal, our Rodney and the rest of the Krome crew got $2,500,000 to take to the bank! However, that is chump change! It ain’t much help in carrying $44,608,600 worth of land on the other side of the Urban Development Boundary.