Scene in the Tropics

Coal mining heir Wayne Boich, Jr. building billionaire bachelor pad on North Bay Road

There are no real estate woes for the 1 percent. According to Kevin Tomlinson's South Beach Condos Blog, three North Bay Road homes were sold for $19.6 million to 37-year-old Ohio coal mining heir Wayne Boich, Jr., who plans to knock down all three homes and build one big billionaire bachelor pad. Boich's ICON South Beach penthouse is currently under contract for somewhere in the market of $21 million, closing allegedly on September 1. Boich is CEO of the eponymous Columbus-based Boich Group of Companies, which in 2008 teamed up with Ohio utility company FirstEnergy to buy the Signal Peak Coal Mine near Billings, Montana to create Signal Peak Energy. The company is also a big donor in political circles, too, especially to Speaker of the House John Boehner, a big supporter of clean coal efforts.

From clean coal to down and dirty partying, Boich, a LIV-fixture, is best known locally for dating Tara Reid many moons ago, and for his big, star studded birthday bashes, his latest featuring DJ Avicii spinning at his penthouse. His website describes him as "a man with vision, who has a deep concern for the community, society and the environment. These combined factors make him a powerful and articulate business man."

Incidentally, one of the homes he bought used to belong to former singer, beauty queen, Florida citrus spokesperson and anti-gay advocate Anita Bryant and then husband, late Miami DJ Bob Green back in 1982.

Update: So much for the billionaire bachelor pad. Congrats go out to Boich, who, last week announced his engagement to 29-year-old Cynthia Marin. The couple, who met in Spain over two years ago, will marry next year and move into that big ol' house they're building together. Mazel tov and move on, golddiggers.

Singing the bleaus? Despite raking in the dough, Fontainebleau may still be on the verge of bankruptcy

Despite recent reports of raking in $9 in revenue per second and "leaving financial woes behind," the Fontainebleau may not be able to avoid filing for bankruptcy according to a leaked confidential memo sent out today by Fidelity National Title Group's Florida Underwriting Department to all Florida offices and agents of Chicago Title Insurance Company, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, and Fidelity National Title Insurance Company.

Reads the memo, "You are hereby instructed not to close or process any title insurance transactions without prior written approval of the Underwriting Department in which the following individuals and entities are involved in the transaction: Bruce Weiner, Jackie Soffer, Jeffrey Soffer, and Ray Parello." The Soffers we know. As for Weiner, he's a former Turnberry CEO who has alleged that "Soffer siphoned millions of dollars from Turnberry companies for 'upkeep of his baronial lifestyle,'" while Parello is Turnberry's Director of Finance.

We sent the entire memo to our legal eagle, who, in layman's terms told us, "Sounds like he is going to have to file for bankruptcy. It also sounds like he is not going to be able to obtain title insurance for any of his properties that he either has or is planning to purchase in the future."

This, despite the fact that on April 3, the Herald's Doug Hanks wrote, "The 1,500-room resort that once publicly discussed bankruptcy proceedings now is impressing analysts with rapid profit growth and one of the most lucrative nightclubs in the country."

The Fontainebleau's Director of Public Relations Mabel De Beunza was unavailable for comment.

So were we just bam-bleau-zled (sorry) or is this not that shocking and no big deal? We'll leave that to the business experts like Hanks, who says "I would be cautious in assuming this will impact the Fontainebleau." We won't cry for them, but on second thought, for $9 a second we'll cry them a river.

Click here for the entire memo

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Miami Herald has received a letter from Fidelty National Title Group that takes issue with this posting, stating it "mischaracterized both the Alert's purpose and its contents. ... Fidelity's Alert did not make the assertions suggested in your Article...in fact, we have updated the contents of the Alert to delete both Bruce Weiner and Ray Perello from the list of individuals as to whom underwriting positions must be formulated.''

After reviewing the situation, Miami Herald editors agree that the memorandum attached to the above posting does not present information that would support any conclusions regarding the Fontainebleau's risk of bankruptcy . The lawyer quoted in the post gave a general opinion as to the legal language in the memo and had not followed or studied cases involving the Fontainebleau and its financial standing prior to giving us his quote.

Sir Richard Branson's unlikely South Beach pad thisclose to NYC cop shooting

While some say there's definitely something shady about the NYC police officer shooting at 12th and Collins on South Beach, imagine how you'd feel if you lived in that neighborhood? We'd love to ask Sir Richard Branson, because, well, he lives right there. We just discovered that, contrary to images of a grandiose beach pad, the bazillionaire actually owns the penthouse at The Islander, located at 1255 Collins Ave. Registered under his wife Joan's name, the apartment was bought back in 2009 for a bargain (for Branson, anyway) $399k.

The building, whose residents are mostly elderly, is far from a place you'd expect a mogul to call home, with a non-functioning pool on the rooftop among other amenities, or lack thereof. When he bought the place, Branson told a fellow resident that he dislikes buildings with doormen, valet parking, concierges, etc., and that he doesn't want people to know his comings-and-goings. Oops.

But, really, with the recent shooting and the fatal Memorial Day weekend shooting a block away at 13th Street, will it be long before the Virgin emperor packs up and high tails it to a safer part of town? We couldn't tell you, but one resident did have some advice for him, saying, "He and his family members might be safer in those high-rises south of 5th or the two high-rises at the end of north Ocean Drive." And get this: Branson's not the first rich guy to live there. Rumor has it that hotelier Ian South Beach Wine & Food Festival founder Lee Schrager was the penthouse's previous owner.

Miami Babylon or babble on?

While some people may be worried that their covers will be blown in esteemed author Gerald Posner's new Miami expose, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power. A Dispatch From the Beach, the best part about it is all the on-the-record stuff that people are saying about each other. Snap! We scored an advance copy and have picked out some of our faves:

Thomas Kramer on his short lived partnership with developer Jorge Perez: "We did a lot of party and pus*y."

Kramer on banning gays from his short lived club Hell: "I  have nothing against faggots, but I wanted a club with beautiful women and men like me."

Kramer on the accusations he molested a little boy in a NY bathroom whom he claims was horsing around and bumped into him at a urinal: "[I told him] If you don't stop this, I will rip this off [grabbing the child's crotch.] And then the little mother*ucker ran off to his mommy to say I molested him."

Ex Miami Beach mayor Niesen Kasdin on Kramer: "Kramer was like watching a train wreck in slow motion."

Ingrid Casares on teaming up with so called club kingpin Chris Paciello in the night club biz: "I needed a substantial profession to prove I was more than just a drug addled sycophant."

Paciello on whether he'd return to Miami: "Most people in Miami respect me. Who knows if I'll end up back there one day. Miami wouldn't be the same without me--and I don't mean that as an ego statement."

Former promoter/club owner Gary James on Paciello's unlikely return to Miami: "Chris seems ready to reclaim his glory. I'd advise him to do it in Los Angeles where he's a new face. No matter what he thinks, South Beach isn't kind to yesterday's stars."

Developer Craig Robins on fellow developer Don Peebles: "His legacy in Miami is not particularly meaningful."

Peebles on Miami: "Miami is just not comfortable with  blacks. I don't acquiesce. I am married to a white wife, I make a lot of money, and my problem is that I don't know my place."

Robins on Lincoln Road developer Michael Comras: "Comras is parasitic, not a visionary."

 

WANNA BE THE NEXT BILLY MAYS (RIP)? YES, WE'RE SHOUTING

 
May Billy Mays rest in peace, but for those in this great big infomercial known as life, there are products to be shilled and for that, Media Enterprises, the company that brought you the famous Mays-approved Mighty Putty and Mighty Mendit, is holding auditions to find America's next screamer  infomercial spokespersons and products. Two lucky winners--an inventor and a spokesperson--will be selected and each awarded $100,000. Aspiring candidates should show up at the Eden Roc on Monday, October 12, or Tuesday, October 13 no earlier than 8 a.m. Inventors are asked to bring a working prototype of their product, and spokespeople should be prepared to present a pitch for the product of their choice.  Shouting is not required, but helpful, and if you audition on Monday you may get a second audition free. That's right, a second AUDITION FREE. FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. FREE. CALL NOW. AND GOOD LUCK.

Update: Deco Drive's own pitchman Buster went to the audition and from what we hear, he's a major frontrunner. Here's his audition. What do you think?

Britney Spears brings home the bacon while K-Fed just eats it

While Britney Spears made gazillions last night during round two of her Circus at the American Airlines Arena, her bloated ex hubby Kevin Federline, in town presumably to watch his kids while mommy worked it, was busy making the Miami rounds, partying like a rock star at BED on Monday night. On Tuesday night, Over-Fed was seen with girlfriend Victoria Prince at Louis Bar Lounge, sipping on vodka and soda and hanging out with Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy, Scott Disick. What a perfect boys' night out. The only thing missing were some fried oreos and Jon Gosselin.

Scott Storch On the Dead Beat

Miami resident and music mogul Scott Storch is in some hot water, according to the mother of his one year-old son Jaleen. Dalene Daniel filed a complaint with the Miami Dade County Court, charging that Storch is behind on his $7,500 a month child support, missing this and last month's payments. Daniel claims Storch has been "habitually late" in paying support and accuses him of bouncing checks. Storch, it seems, has some serious financial issues. The NY Post reported on January 11 that he's in arrears on taxes to the state of Florida, with past due amounts on his Palm Island estate totaling $435,602 dating back to 2006. The Post also reported that a Miami art gallery owner paid Storch a visit to reclaim a $7,500 painting Storch hung on his wall but never paid for. Oddly enough, according to Forbes, Storch's 2006 income was estimated at $17 million---about $1.4 million a month.  So what gives? He doesn't, apparently.

Idol-atry

American Idol judges and Ryan Seacrest were all over Miami this past weekend. Here's a blotter of their wherabouts and assorted activities:

****Jackson and Cowell arrived at Miami International Airport like high rollers. Sources tell us the twosome shared a private jet from LA on Thursday night. They were then whisked away to Casa Casuarina, where spies tell us that Cowell marveled in the Italian Suite,  the former bedroom of Gianni Versace. At $4500.00 a night, it’s quite the marvel.

****On Friday night, Jackson hosted a “boys night” at Cameo – where the Idol judge was a guest DJ. Our spies tell us that Randy played  remix of Paula Abdul’s hit song ‘Opposites Attract.” Other sources at the Heineken Light sponsored bash tell us that Ryan Seacrest and Jackson had a bevy of beautiful women surrounding them. “It was a like a cheerleading squad,” says our amused source. However, source also tells us Simon Cowell was on his best behavior - and stayed clear of any and all of the buxom blondes bombarding him.

****On Saturday a groggy Jackson went shopping at the Atrium boutique on Collins Ave. Our secret shopper says he picked up two pairs of Rock N Republic Jeans but didn't manage to catch a glimpse of the size.

****On Sunday night, Jackson and Seacrest were spotted toying around in the kitchen at Macaluso's. Something about the size of those meatballs always attracts the A-list.

****At SET on Sunday night, Randy, Simon, Paula and Seacrest relaxed together at a table in front of the fireplace in a rare evening group outing, letting loose after a full weekend of auditions. Don't believe the rumors of tension between Cowell and Abdul-----they were toasting with Belvedere and Sapporo and, says a spy, "chattign happily and giddily amongst themselves."

All in all, an eventful weekend. No wonder they're all so cranky in the auditions!

Scott Storch Got (The) Game

Scott Storch had dinner with a few of the Terror Squad hip hop crew at The Forge Saturday night. After dinner they moved into Glass where Storch approached promoter Fernie Franco and asked him to instruct the DJs to play a preview of his new song featuring The Game, which isn't coming out for a few months. "The place went crazy, " says a source. "Looks like he's got another hit coming out." Not a surprise at all but what we really want to know is when Storch will put a hit on those )*(#$#)*$ sunglasses of his.

Photos:Omar Vega, Miamiparties.com

Jay-Z and Pharrell Rock the Casbah

After a long night in the studio, Jay-Z and Pharrell stopped by the Rock the Casbah party at Tottem Gardens at 2am. A spy overheard Pharrell talking to party host Ingrid Casares about his time in the studio with none other than Madonna. Also in the house was Scarface star Steven Bauer, whom Jay-Z wanted to meet because he's a huge fan of the gangsta--er, movie. Pharrell and Jay-Z stayed until 4am.