On April 2, 2026 in Florida’s budget stalemate takes on Cherfilius-McCormick probe-related twist, Politico reported that the U.S. House Ethics Committee investigation of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick “also looked at federal funding that went to a foundation led by Freddie Figgers, a telecommunications executive from Broward County with ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis.”

While North Miami Beach mayor Michael Joseph is not specifically named in the article, the name Freddie Figgers should sound very familiar.  He and Michael Joseph are both connected in yet another one of the mayor’s Charter violations — this time for finagling a no-bid contract to a man already riddled with controversies.

As we first reported last month, the North Miami Beach City Commission voted to hire Algo Law Firm, LLC to investigate corruption at City Hall.

As expected, the Interim Investigative Report presented to the Commission ended up mainly focusing on the crimes and misdemeanors of mayor Mike “Michael” Joseph, a/k/a the Devil on the Dais.

The Algo Report noted, “One of the critical findings was the allegation of the circumvention of the City’s purchasing authority and procurement process. Employee C described the approval and implementation of a contract with Figgers Communications for an emergency notification system, even though the City already had an effective $12,000 system (Code Red) in place. Figgers charged $48,000 per year without prior municipal experience. Employee C opposed this procurement and refused to sign a purchasing exception; however, approval was granted by Interim City Manager Andy Plotkin, allegedly under the influence of Chief of Staff/Interim Assistant City Manager Marlene Monastime.“

Furthermore, “A proposal from Figgers Communications, amounting to approximately $48,000, originated from the City Manager’s Office without a traditional competitive solicitation. Although IT and Procurement reviewed this proposal, there was an existing similar vendor already in place known as Code Red. Employee G acknowledged that not all procurements necessitate solicitation and noted that bid waivers are rare, accounting for only around 10% of procurements. The potential governance concerns stem from City Charter provisions prohibiting undue influence by elected officials in administrative matters.“

And finally, “A federal investigation involving Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick which included mention of Mayor Joseph and Freddie Figgers (CEO of Figgers Communications) illustrates potential ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding public trust and the procurement processes.  There appears to be a complex relationship tying together the alleged coercive actions of Mayor Joseph listed above, the contracting practices with Figgers Communication, and the implications of their interactions concerning federal funding as alleged by United States House of Representatives Committee on Ethics December 16, 2025 report.”

The Algo report was referring to an Agreement for Professional Services between the City of North Miami Beach and Figgers Communication, Inc.

According to SECTION 1. TERM of this no-bid contract, the effective date was “upon execution,” which was July 25, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2026.

Therefore, the total term of this no-bid contract is fourteen (14) months and six (6) days.  It also states that this no-bid contract “may be renewed for an additional mutually agreed upon term.”

According to SECTION 3. COMPENSATION, the cost of this no-bid contract is $4,000 per month, or a grand total of $56,800 for the full term of fourteen months and six days.

The fact that this no-bid contract cost taxpayers more than $50,000 is in violation of Chapter III, Section 3-3.14 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, which clearly states:

“3-3.14   Award of Bids, Proposals and Contracts.

All contracts, when the sum is below twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars, shall be awarded by the Purchasing Agent, with a recommendation from the Department Head, for the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting specifications. All contracts, when the sum is greater than twenty-five thousand ($25,000.00) dollars and below fifty thousand ($50,000.00) dollars, shall be awarded by the City Manager with recommendation from the Department Head and Purchasing Agent for the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting specifications. All contracts, when the sum is in excess of fifty thousand ($50,000.00) dollars, shall be awarded by the City Commission to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder meeting specifications.”

Then again, when it comes to Michael Joseph, there are no laws he won’t break.

Keep in mind that Michael Joseph’s bid tampering is a violation of Florida Statute 838.22, which clearly states, “It is unlawful for a public servant or a public contractor who has contracted with a governmental entity to assist in a competitive procurement to knowingly and intentionally influence or attempt to influence the competitive solicitation undertaken by any governmental entity for the procurement of commodities or services[.]”

Furthermore, “Any person who violates this section commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.”

That didn’t stop him from interfering in the “procurement” of, and payment to, this vendor.

Using the city’s “credit card,” a/k/a P-Card to pay even a partial payment for this no-bid contract is a violation of the North Miami Beach Procurement Card Policy & Procedures, which clearly states, “The standard limits shall be $1000 for a single purchase.”

The policy also prohibits “[s]plitting purchase transaction to circumvent the Procurement or Payment process.”

It appears that Michael Joseph is in violation of state law, as well as the city’s Charter and P-Card policy.

Then again, considering how corrupt Michael Joseph is, we are not surprised.

As for Freddie Figgers, this was not the first no-bid rodeo for the now-former member of the Florida Ethics Commission, according to an October 29, 2023 Florida Bulldog article, which reported:

“The Florida Commission on Ethics is taking another ethical hit with news of a cozy million-dollar no-bid contract given to one of its members by Gov. Ron DeSantis’s recently retooled Central Florida Tourism District (CFTOD).

The existence of the deal with the special taxing district formerly known as The Walt Disney Company’s Reedy Creek Improvement District was disclosed last week by Orlando television station WFTV, which reported the contract went to Figgers Communication, incorporated in 2015 and owned by Fort Lauderdale businessman Freddie Figgers.”

Less than a year later, the Florida Bulldog also reported that the Ethics Commission, on which Freddie Figgers was still serving at the time, voted to waive his $1,500.00 fine for failure to file his state required financial disclosure form.

According to a Post-Session Florida Ethics Legislative Report published by the Florida Ethics Institute, the State Senate refused to confirm Freddie Figgers to the Florida Commission on Ethics.

The Politico article explained, “Senate Republicans at the time did not discuss why they declined to confirm Figgers. But a background document on Figgers requested by a state Senate committee, obtained by POLITICO through a public records request, included information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement about several arrests — although Figgers was never convicted. There was also information from FDLE that was redacted when the report was made available.”

Little wonder that Freddie Figgers and Michael Joseph have gravitated toward each other considering how much they have in common.

For starters, they are both connected to a Congresswoman who was indicted and is standing trial for stealing $5 million of Floridians’ hard earned tax dollars.  Both Freddie and Michael are implicated in her alleged crimes as described in the investigative report issued by the Office of Congressional Ethics, and both of them declined to provide information and, in Michael’s case, he “refused to comply with multiple subpoenas from the ISC [Investigative Subcommittee] for documents and testimony.”

If they had nothing to hide, why were they hiding?

Apparently, both Freddie Figgers and Michael Joseph think they are above the law.

Aside from his “stellar reputation” and hopefully his freedom, Michael Joseph doesn’t have a financial stake in the “non-profit” scheme that Freddie Figgers has enjoyed, courtesy of Florida taxpayers.

That we know of anyway.

As Politico reported:

“During the recently concluded regular legislative session in Tallahassee, Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate requested money for the Figgers Foundation for a tablet program. The Senate budget included $350,000 for the program, while the House budget had a $1 million appropriation. Two years ago, the tablet program got a $500,000 appropriation from the Legislature.

The report from the Office of Congressional Conduct looked at whether the tablets and the software were products of for-profit companies run by Figgers and whether the program was designed to create future customers for his telecommunications network. The January report also questioned campaign donations to Cherfilus-McCormick from Figgers and his family members, as well money her congressional office spent on constituent messaging services with Figgers Enterprises. The report states that a witness told investigators that shortly after Cherfilus-McCormick assumed office in 2022, she asked a staffer to reach out to Figgers about funding for community projects and that she wanted him to submit a request.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s office did not respond to questions about the tablet program. When asked for comments, the Figgers Foundation responded with a statement from Lee Bentley, a Tampa attorney who serves as legal counsel for the organization.”

Although Freddie Figgers may lose his taxpayer-funded golden goose up in Tallahassee, he’ll still have a stream of steady income in North Miami Beach from your tax dollars!

As for Michael Joseph, however, we can only hope that when Algo Law Firm issues its final investigative report, that he will FINALLY face the consequences he deserves for all the dirty deeds he has committed since he was first elected in 2018.

Stephanie