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The City of Stuart Small Cities CDBG

Do Not Trust The Guardians Of Public Trust – This is not a private matter!  Federally-Funded Programs are matters of public concern! (We periodically update this page)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a federal program that provides funding for housing and community development activities. FloridaCommerce administers the State Program in Florida through the Small Cities CDBG Program. This is a competitive grant program that awards funds to units of local government in small urban and rural areas. Local governments can earn points based on specific criteria outlined in the application and scoring process, increasing their chances of receiving grants. https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/assistance-for-governments-and-organizations/florida-small-cities-community-development-block-grant-program/downloads-and-information-for-applicants
In general, the Small Cities CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to rehabilitate housing conditions by addressing code deficiencies, health and safety hazards, energy efficiency, and bringing substandard housing units to a minimum acceptable living standards and the Building Code.
FDEO HUD Small Cities CDBG -Housing Rehabilitation / DHR Project File No.: 2023-5606 / 311 SW 3rd Street, Stuart, Florida 34994
Who is Who:
Ms. Gandhi-Savdas, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive Director and The City of Stuart CDBG Project Manager for the City with the authority to act on the City’s behalf with respect to all aspects of the Project and the City of Stuart.
Mr. Jenkins of Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc., a firm contracted by the City of Stuart to assist with the CDBG Program management. Under the contract between the City and Guardian Community Resource Management Inc., Mr. Jenkins’s primary duties include project delivery services and construction oversight, contractor vetting and program management. He conducts orientation sessions for contractors and vendors, conducts site inspections for compliance, he reviews mortgage & construction contracts, creates/tracks project construction budget; reviews, monitors, approves construction and contractor pay authorizations. And it is also stated that Mr. Jenkins is “well versed in the latest building standards and codes.”
Patriot Response Group, LLC, the CDBG general contractor vetted, approved and supervised by the City of Stuart and Guardian CRM, Inc. (one of only two bidders “reviewed” by Mr. Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc.) Guardian CRM and the contractors are paid from Federal Funds.
On the Hamiltons Project this program includes a falsely notarized notice of commencement uttered by Patriot Response Group to the Martin County Clerk of Court, the homeowner’s forged signature on the CDBG Change Order, a lien with falsified dates for incomplete, shoddy, destructive, and fraudulent work, negligent and shady paperwork with falsified dates and info by the CDBG Project Management, deceptive delays, deliberate mismanagement and cover ups by the City Administration and Guardian CRM, Inc. and their vetted and reviewed contractor.
Why, on a federally funded Small Cities CDBG program, without an investigation into the fraudulent lien and destructive work, did the government release the taxpayers’ money to the contractor? The City Manager asserted that FloridaCommerce instructed the City to pay with the CDBG administrative matching funds without the homeowners signatures. “Our concern is that HUD does not require grantees to report to them or track their use of matching funds,” testified Acting Inspector General Stephen M. Begg before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on April 8, 2025, during the hearing titled “Decades of Dysfunction: Restoring Accountability at HUD” which focused on chronic waste, fraud, and mismanagement.
In September 2024, the City administration and the grant managing firm were coercing the Hamiltons to release the taxpayers’ money for poor workmanship bordering on amateurish installation of the replacement windows which all have to be removed, for the incomplete roof with the fake vent system, and even for work that neither was approved nor inspected. Furthermore, the City administration and Guardian CRM sought to use the remaining CDBG funds—allocated for the rehabilitation of the Hamiltons’ historical Pioneer Church—to hire another contractor to remedy the destructive and fraudulent work by their vetted contractor, Patriot Response Group. The Hamiltons refused to sign the papers to cover up the improper payment. Anyway, the government released the funds; the Hamiltons’ signatures were not even required.
Why did the City Administration, in tandem with Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc., conceal the 2023 State Historic Preservation Office letter from the Hamiltons—a document stating that their property at 311 SW 3rd Street “appears to meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places”? Why did City Manager Mortell deny the Hamiltons’ requests for re-inspections and instead engage in public character assassination, deliberately undermining their reputation and credibility? Why did he refuse to cite the CDBG contractor for clear violations? Finally, why, after paying the contractor, would City Manager Mortell prefer to see the Hamiltons’ historic building razed?
Despite an allocated administrative budget of $112,500 intended to ensure program compliance and oversight, the City of Stuart CDBG program management failed to adhere to the SHPO guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Based on the City of Stuart’s $750,000 Housing Rehabilitation application, the breakdown typically follows these limits:

  • Maximum Administrative Allowance: $112,500 (calculated as 15% of the $750,000 project total).
  • Grant Delivery/Project Costs: $637,500 (the remaining 85% dedicated strictly to rehabilitation activities).
  • Total Award: $750,000.

https://aroundandabout.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-City-of-Stuart-Commission-Meeting-February-28-2022-Coversheet.pdf

Summary
The Hamiltons were in the process of restoring the historic building’s interior beadboard when they applied for the CDBG Program in the spring of 2022.
Following the mandatory vetting process and home inspections, the Hamiltons’ application was approved; on December 19, 2023, they were provided with two contractor bids based on a Scope of Work prepared by the City and Guardian CRM.
On March 13, 2024, at City Hall, the Hamiltons signed a Subordinate Mortgage for the City CDBG Loan in the principal sum of $57,330.00. In this agreement, the Hamiltons are the ‘Borrower’ and the City of Stuart is the ‘Lender.’ The Subordinate Mortgage, the contract with Patriot Response Group, the Notice to Proceed (NTP), and the Notice of Commencement (NOC) were all prepared by Mr. Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc., and the signatures were notarized by Dawn Cobb, Guardian CRM Administrator.

On April 1, 2024, James Foster, Vice President of Patriot Response Group, electronically filed a falsely notarized Notice of Commencement. This document failed to identify the City of Stuart CDBG Program and omitted the full CDBG Scope of Work. (Complaint and Conclusion of Investigation)

On July 26, 2024, Patriot Response Group was removed from the Hamiltons’ project.

On September 9, 2024, we notified City Manager Mortell, the City Council, and CRA Director Gandhi-Savdas—who also serves as the City’s CDBG Project Manager—via email regarding the falsified NOC. Prior to that, we had also informed Mr. Mortell that the contractor failed to submit the required Scope of Work and had falsified the roof ridge vent system installation rather than performing the work.
On October 18, 2024, FloridaCommerce notified the city that the work completed by Patriot Response Group might not be eligible for reimbursement with federal funds at that time.
On November 4, 2024, before the State Historic Preservation Office completed its evaluation of the contractor’s work, Patriot Response Group filed a fraudulent lien for $48,490, which included $2,500 for ‘Change Order #1’ bearing Mr. Hamilton’s forged signature.
On November 7, 2024, Guardian CRM, the City of Stuart, and Patriot Response Group signed a document falsely stating a ‘voluntary contract dissolution’ The document certified that Patriot Response Group’s work was 85% complete on the windows and 100% complete on the roof, for a total sum of $46,490.
According to FloridaCommerce, the City and the City Building Office maintained that the work was completed correctly and in accordance with all requirements (per the November 26, 2024, email
On November 22, 2024, the State Historic Preservation Office notified the City that the completed work did not conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and failed to meet the conditions set forth by the office in its 2023 letter. Particularly, the replacement windows are larger and do not match the material or scale of the original windows.
On November 26, 2024, FloridaCommerce stated in the email that FloridaCommerce did not consider the payment that was made to Patriot Response Group, LLC, to be an eligible use of CDBG funds at that time.
On May 13, 2025, Specialty Engineering Services & Solutions, Inc. stated in their report on work by Patriot Response Group, “poor workmanship bordering on amateurish installation. All of the windows need to be removed and replaced with windows that are sized according to the original design. The framing at each window that requires it should be restored and / or reframed using specified and appropriate methods and materials for a building designated as historic.”
As of today, due to mismanagement, deliberate delays, and cover-ups by the City of Stuart CDBG program management, the Hamiltons are left with a $57,330.00 subordinate mortgage and an incomplete rehabilitation project consisting of work that is not only shoddy and destructive, but even fraudulent.
What happened to the roof ridge vent system? It was included in the CDBG Scope of Work and was not installed, yet the contractor was paid for it anyway.
City Administration and Guardian Community Resource Management paid Patriot Response Group for the installation of a ‘Cobra’ roof ridge vent system that was nonexistent.

Timeline

March 9, 2020. The City of Stuart resolution to hire a consultant to apply for Community Development Block Grant Housing Revitalization Program (“just because it is the easiest program to get a grant for” – Ms. Gandhi-Savdas)

June 22 and June 27, 2020. The City of Stuart signed two agreements with Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc. to assist with the Community Development Grant (CDBG) and Related Programs administration and project delivery services. The Project Manager for the City with the authority to act on the City’s behalf with respect to all aspects of the Project is Pinal Gandhi-Savdas.
https://aroundandabout.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Guardian_Community_Resource-73-2020.pdf
https://aroundandabout.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Guardian_Fully_executed_contract.pdf
July 26, 2021. The City of Stuart announced it received $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
September 29, 2021. The City of Stuart signed the Subgrant Agreement with FloridaCommerce (former Department of Economic Opportunity), agreeing to abide by all applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations, including but not necessarily limited to, the Federal laws and regulations set forth at 24 C.F.R. Part 570 Subpart I (except that the Recipient does not assume DEO’s responsibilities described at § 570.604 and the Recipient does not assume DEO’s responsibility for initiating the review process under the provisions of 24 CFR part 58); and chapter 73C-23, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), Effective: May 27, 2018; and comply with the historic preservation requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the procedures set forth in 36 C.F.R. part 800, and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, codified at 36 C.F.R. 67, and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.

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March 7, 2022. The City of Stuart posted announcement on the CDBG workshop which was held on March 9, 2022.
October, 2022. The City of Stuart and Guardian Community Resource Management Inc., provided the Hamiltons with the Florida Housing Corporation SHIP Form to sign. Later, In September 2024, responding to the Hamiltons’ complaint, the Florida Housing Corporation Office of Inspector General wrote, “The City of Stuart is not a SHIP eligible city. The SHIP RIC form was inadvertently used and should not of been used for any program other than SHIP,” and directed the Hamiltons to the OIG for the Department of Commerce.

According to the City of Stuart, “The City has been awarded $687,500.00 (including temporary relocation as applicable) and is required to assist a minimum of 11 Households. The average allocation per house is up to but not exceeding $80,000.”

December 12, 2023. The City of Stuart and Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc. provided the Hamiltons with only two bids on the CDBG Scope of Work on their rehabilitation project. According to the City of Stuart CDBG documents, the work write-up was provided to the bidding contractors by the City. The contractors were reviewed by Antonio Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc. – “reviewer,” he determined the lowest responsible bid by Patriot Response Group. The contractor’s bid estimates are based on the work write-up provided by the City and include: Operational – $1,200; General Reporting – $500; Attic Insulation – $2,900; Roof replacement including the new roof ridge vent system installation – $19,090; Windows Replacement – $29,000; Exit/Entry doors replacement – $3,840; and $750 for LBP/ ACM/Mold reports. The paperwork negligently states the wrong legal property description as well. Out of $80,000 the Hamiltons would be left with $22,670, and Mr. Jenkins also promised the Hamiltons could use the rest of the fund on A/C mini splits when he saw the window A/Cs during his visit in September, 2023 . (Photos provided by the City)

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On March 13, 2024, in the City Hall, the Hamiltons signed Subordinate Mortgage: THIS SUBORDINATE MORTGAGE (“Security Instrument”) is made on March 13, 2024. The granter is Homeowner: Robert Hamilton and Olga Hamilton (” Borrower”). This Security Instrument is provided by the City of Stuart, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, and whose address is 121 SW Flagler Ave. , Stuart, FL 34994 (c/o CDBG Housing Assistance Program) (“Lender”). Borrower is receiving assistance from the Lender in the principal sum of Fifty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred Thirty and 00/100-DOLLARS U.S. ($57,330.00). The Hamiltons also signed other CDBG Program related documents, including the contract with the CDBG contractor Patriot Response group and the Notice to Proceed.

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May 22, 2024. The first roof deck replacement
May 23, 2024. The City passed the sheathing and dry-in inspection
June 13, 2024. The first roof deck replacement failed, resulting in the roof’s multiple leaks.
June 21, 2024. The second deck replacement. No sheathing and dry-in inspection recorded by the City in the document given to the Hamiltons.
June 22, 2024. The roof leaked again.
June 28, 2024. Metal Installation
July 2, 2024. The City Passed final inspection of the incomplete roof.
The City of Stuart passed the final inspection of the incomplete roof despite the nonexistent roof ridge vent system and the destructive installation of incorrect hurricane ties—which were installed without specifications or Building Department approval. The City paid the CDBG contractor, Patriot Response Group, the full $19,090 for the roof without deductions for the missing vent system,  plus extra $2,500 for “Change Order #1,” with the homeowner’s forged signature for work that the City didn’t inspect.
Read more on the roof below
https://aroundandabout.us/the-city-of-stuart-community-redevelopment-block-grant-housing-rehabilitation-program-contractor-patriot-response-group/
July 5-7, 2024. Destructive installation of the oversized replacement windows
July 10-13, 2024. Re-installation of the the oversized replacement windows (more damage was done to the historical building)
On July 16, 2024, the Hamiltons sent a message to Mr. Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc., asking who gave permission to Patriot Response Group to cut the exterior load-bearing walls. Mr. Jenkins responded to the Hamiltons that “in general contractors do not need permission to cut into homes when windows and doors are being retrofit.” The Hamiltons also asked if the contractor had plans and the Building Department permission to alter our exterior load bearing walls. Mr. Jenkins responded “yes.” It was not true, we inspected the permit file, no plans were submitted. Below is his “well versed” interpretation of building standards and codes. Mr. Jenkins never disclosed the State Historic Preservation letter dated December 1st, 2023, with the guidelines on our historical building rehabilitation.
On July 19, 2024 (email), the Hamiltons notified the City about the incomplete roof and damages to our building by the oversized replacement windows installation. The City proceeded with covering-up the CDBG program mismanagement and destructive and fraudulent work by their CDBG contractor on our historical building rehabilitation project. We had to file our complaint with the State Department FloridaCommerce. The City of Stuart and Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc. concealed the State Historic Preservation letter dated December 1st, 2023, from us on rehabilitation of our historical building. You are welcome to read the correspondence below.
On July 26, 2024, a so-called independent engineer inspection “organized” by Mr. Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc. and the contractor Patriot Response group didn’t take place, as the engineer declined to perform inspection after the contractor stated that Patriot Response Group hired the engineer. Mr. Jenkins told the Hamiltons that he personally chose an engineer, but at the CRA Meeting on August 26, 2024, Mr. Jenkins could not remember even the engineer’s name.
On August 12, 2024, the Hamiltons found that the CDBG contractor Patriot Response Group uttered a falsely notarized notice of commencement to the Martin County Clerk of Court. Mr. Hamilton filed a complaint with the Executive Office of the Governor, Notary Section. The fraudulent NOC doesn’t state The City of Stuart CDBG Program, neither state the Lender the City of Stuart, nor include the CDBG full scope of work. The Subordinate Mortgage between the Hamiltons and the City was not recorded either.
On August 14, 2024, the Hamiltons sent an email to City Manager Mr. Mortell, Lou Hatten CBO, BCA, Building Official, and Ms. Gandhi-Savdas, CRA director and The City of Stuart CDBG Project Manager, requesting the City to reopen Building Permit BP-24-684 because “The roof is not complete and poses a safety risk. No itemized documentation was provided by the contractor to justify the $19,090 Valuation. The roof ridge vent was not installed. The manufacturer of the Simpson Strong-Tie H3 hurricane tie connectors confirmed the incorrect installation of the hurricane ties. The roof 2X6 sub-fascia and aluminum fascia are attached not according to the Florida Building Code. The fascia on one side of the roof is not completed at all, etc. Building Permit BP-24-684 doesn’t reflect all required inspections.
On August 15, 2024, Mr. Jenkins of Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc. (email) demanded the release of federal funds for incomplete, shoddy and destructive work , mentioning liens, “The only action being taken at this time is the official dissolution of the agreement between you (The Hamilton’s) and the contractor (Patriot Response Group). This will allow: (1) avoidance of any mechanical liens that the contractor will have a legal right to impose should just due payment not be rendered… Because the roof has passed the final building department inspection… the windows did not fail the building inspection for size, for type, for framing (material type), or condition, but only for shim/screw placements. It should also be noted that window  or other installation does not have to meet any standards other than those required by minimum Florida Building Code. Conjecture on best material, best methods, or best practices does not equate to a mandate on actual use of material methods, and/or installation practices.”
Note: On May 13, 2025, Specialty Engineering Services & Solutions, Inc., stated in the report: “When something interferes or breaks the specific original load path, the affected load will find a new path. This new path may not be one that is favorable to the longevity of the building. This is why what may be seen as a simple piece of wood is actually more important than it appears. Normally a Trimmer stud would perform this task. In this building some of those Trimmer studs have been removed or cut. In all cases where the windows were replaced, specifically the concerning the bucking and shim work, is considered poor workmanship bordering on amateurish installation. Harsh and true. This alone warrants complete replacement… In this case its 24”, these windows being wider than the originals , @ 34”, means the installers may have cut through the load bearing King and Trimmer studs… As mentioned above, all of the windows need to be removed and replaced with windows that are sized according to the original design. The framing at each window that requires it should be restored and / or reframed using specified and appropriate methods and materials for a building designated as historical.” Please see the report – “On May 13, 2025 1“
On August 20, 2024, through the City Portal, the Hamiltons sent request to the Building Department to provide in electronic format (PDF files) the documents, including drawings and specifications, on the ridge vent system and hurricane straps/clips installation, submitted by the contractor Patriot Response Group on the roof permit BP-24-684.
On August 22, 2024, after the Roof Permit files inspection, the Hamiltons sent the Notice of the inaccurate, and/or incomplete information, provided by the contractor on the permit BP-24-684 (Roof) to the Building Department. The Hamiltons notified the Building Department that the CDBG contractor concealed the CDBG scope of work, installed the wrong hurricane ties without the Building Department approval, and without any submitted specifications or documentation.
On August 26, 2024, Ms. Gandhi-Savdas stated the Hamiltons were allowed to choose their own contractor.
On August 27, 2024, through the City Portal, the Hamiltons requested the files in electronic format submitted by Patriot Response Group on the building permit BP 24-653 (Replacement Windows), including the plans and/or drawings on the alteration of their building’s exterior load-bearing walls, including the wall assembly.
On September 3, 2024, Ms. Gandhi-Savdas wrote to the Hamilton, ” You requested the balance for the CDBG.  The CDBG program policy does not allow a rehab project budget to exceed $80,000.00.  The payment due to Patriot is $48,490 (see breakdown below).  Your project has $31,510.00 that can be utilized to finalize the new window installation and finish. In order to ensure homeowner protection against mechanical liens, it is recommended that the contractor be paid for completed work“
Note: the City Administration and the CDBG Management, again mentioned liens, extorting the federal fund for the the incomplete and destructive work, and forcing the Hamiltons to use the rest of funds to install the correct size windows and repair the damages.
On September 6, 2024, the Building Department provided the Hamiltons with the building permit BP 24-653 files (Replacement Windows).
On September 6, 2024, after the permit BP 24-653 files inspection, the Hamiltons notified the Building Department (email) there were no plans / drawings do a structural alteration to their exciting building’s exterior walls. The Building Department didn’t respond. Mr. Mortell, City Manager proceeded to deny the City’s responsibility to oversee the Federally-Funded program.
On September 9, 2024, (email) the Hamiltons notified the City Administration (City Manager Mr. Mortell), the City Commissioners, the CRA Director and CDBG Project Manager Ms. Gandhi-Savdas, the CRA board members, about the falsely notarized NOC and the complaint with the Governor’s Office -Notary Section, and the report with the Stuart Police Department – Case# 2024-00024208, Officer Briglia #119, the Hamiltons filed per recommendation by the Martin County Clerk and Comptroller.
On September 11, 2024, the State Department FloridaCommerce responded to the Hamiltons complaint filed with the FloridaCommerce OIG.
On September 22, 2024, the Hamiltons provided the City with the bid on unsealing the roof ridge vent and installation of the roof ridge vent system, and the letter from Mr. Johnson of Liberty Impact Windows & Doors with the approximate estimates on the removal of the oversized replacement windows and installation of the correct size windows. On September 18, 2024, Mr. Johnson wrote to the Hamiltons, “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to work on your project as it stands currently. The previous company has compromised the structural integrity of several of the window openings, and we cannot take the risk associated with removing and replacement. The liability alone for a historical structure after the original sills and headers were destroyed and built incorrectly is too much.  Every opening needs to be opened, supported, and built back after tear out of the previous company’s work. Unfortunately, that kind of work was allowed to be done and such massive damage to your structure occurred. Our only way forward would be a waiver on all liability associated with all previous work and I’m not sure how that can be achieved. We can talk further about this…”
On October 18, 2024, The State Department FloridaCommerce notified the City, “Based on my review of the information provided it appears that work was completed on the home located at 311 South West 3rd Street that does not appear to be compliant with the Site-Specific Environmental Review Conditions that were issued for the project and costs incurred to date may not be eligible for reimbursement with Federal funds. As we discussed, the Small Cities CDBG Program is requesting that the City coordinate with FloridaCommerce to pursue additional consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office. The additional consultation will help to better inform whether all Federal criteria were followed. The Small Cities CDBG Program will not approve for this case file to closed until we have confirmed that all Federal requirements have been met, which may require additional work to be completed on the home. I understand that the contractor, Patriot Response Group, has not yet been paid and has the ability to put a lien on the home. Please coordinate with the contractor and provide us an update regarding their intent and potential next steps.”
On November 4, 2024, before the State Historic Preservation Office completed the evaluation of the work done by the contractor Patriot Response Group, the contractor filed a fraudulent lien. FloridaCommerce requested the City to remove the lien, paying the contractor from the City’s funds.
On November 8, 2024, Ms. Pinkston, Ms, Gandhi-Savdas, and City Manager, Mr. Mortell requested the payment to Patriot Response Group from the CDBG fund #105.
Patriot Response Group filed the fraudulent lien without providing the Hamiltons with the Contractor Final Affidavit. Neither Guardian CRM, Inc. nor the City of Stuart provided the Hamiltons with the Contractor Final Affidavit before paying the contractor and leaving the Hamiltons with incomplete, shoddy, destructive work – the fake rehabilitation of their historical building.
On November 22, 2024, The State Historic Preservation Office notified the City, “Ms. Ghandi-Savdas: The Florida State Historic Preservation Officer reviewed the referenced project for possible effects on historic properties listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places. The review was conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and its implementing regulations in 36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties. This office notes that the property located at 311 SW 3rd Street, Stuart Florida (8MT346) appears to meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A. We previously commented on the proposed rehabilitation of 8MT346 and in a letter dated December 1, 2023, stated that the undertaking should have no adverse effect on historic properties provided the new work match the old in material, design, scale, color, and finish. Based on the information provided, the completed work does not conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and does not meet the conditions set forth by this office in our 2023 letter. Particularly, the replacement windows are larger and do not match the material or scale of the original. Therefore, it is the opinion of this office that the referenced undertaking resulted in an adverse effect to 8MT346. As HUD’s responsible entity for this project, the City of Stuart is directed to follow the process described in 36 CFR Part 800.6, Resolution of Adverse Effects to complete the Section 106 process…”
On November 25, 2024, Ms. Gandhi-Savdas sent to the Hamiltons a set of documents with fraudulent dates and information, and she wrote, “Please see the last attachment regarding correspondence with Guardian and Patriot regarding release of lien. It was sent at 8:34 AM today (before I received your email). They have submitted the documentation to county for recording and will forward a copy when they receive it. Please note that I will be out of the office for most part of this week due to the holidays so there is a chance that I will not be able to forward something right away. I will respond when I return to the office on Monday. Please allow some time to respond.”
On November 25, 2024, The Hamilton contacted FloridaCommerce, :”
Dear Mr. Markarian,
We inspected the documents sent to us by Mrs. Gandhi-Savdas and we are very
concerned. The dates in the documents are wrong and do not correspond with the documented events on our rehab projects and with the previous correspondence with the City and Guardian Community Resource Management. While our address is correct, the property legal description is wrong. One of the documents (WARRANTY FOR REHABILITATION) states “from the contractor A2B Development, LLC.” We do not recall this contractor on our property.
We do not understand what is “Contract (NTP) Date January 22, 2024.” We signed the contract with Patriot Response Group on March 13, 2024. There were no inspections on 8-15-24, Patriot Response Group was removed from the project on July 26, 2024, as we mentioned in our previous email, and we specifically wrote on July 26, 2024, to Guardian Community Resource Management that the contractor is not allowed on our property.

You are welcome to read the correspondence below.

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On November 26, 2024, FloridaCommerce stated in the email,”FloridaCommerce does not consider the payment that was made to Patriot Response Group, LLC., to be an eligible use of CDBG funds at this time… Given the City’s position, FloridaCommerce requested that the City use City funding to make payment and have the lien removed from your home.”
On November 26, 2024, (e-mail) Ms. Gandhi-Savdas notified the Hamiltons: “Good Afternoon,
Below is an update on the project. It’s taking time due to the process and final determination by SHPO. The City and Guardian requested clarification on the letter provided by SHPO on Friday, November 22, 2024. SHPO has requested a call to discuss this further after the Thanksgiving break. We are tentatively scheduled for a call on Friday, Dec. 6th. I will provide an update during the week of December 9th. Thank you.
Pinal”
On December 6, 2024, Conference: SHPO, FloridaCommerce, the City, and the Hamiltons
On December 9, 2024, (e-mail) Ms. Gandhi-Savdas wrote, “We understand that the windows will be replaced and is not considered “85% complete” but that’s based on what patriot completed. I don’t think the Building Official, or inspectors would certify that the windows are 85% completed.”
On December 10, 2024, (e-mail) Ms. Gandhi-Savdas wrote, “The 85% completion is based on what Patriot completed and as determined by Guardian. Guardian is managing the project, so they are responsible that the contractors’ scope of work is in accordance with the conditions of approval by SHPO or any other agencies.”
On December 12, 2024, City Manager Mortell wrote to the Hamiltons, “There is no dispute that you qualified for a 67,000 dollar grant that was intended to replace your roof and your windows. By way of this email, I am asking the staff to refrain from responding to each of your emails until such time as we have had a chance to finalize the review with SHPO and there is and actual need for the communication. “
On December 27, 2024, after paying the contractor Patriot Response Group for the fraudulent lien, City Manager Mortell wrote to the already devastated Hamiltons, “the information I have been receiving is that the windows need to stay just they way they are and it is more likely that the house should be razed to avoid a future calamity.” At the same time, Mr. Mortell gave the Hamiltons an ultimatum: “I was simply telling you that we were not doing the presentation on January 13 because we are waiting until the SHPO investigation is complete and the Contractor of your choosing is underway. If you have not selected a contractor by February 3, 2025, the Grant Administrator has requested that the City  Re-bid the windows through the procurement process.“
On January 9, 2024, Liberty Impact Windows & Doors, confirmed their decision on declining the job, stating in the email, ” I know that since the structural integrity has already been compromised, the Church will now need to be signed off and approved by an engineer and need major construction, all which is out of our wheelhouse as we are just a window and door installation company who are insured to do minor repairs, not structural alterations.”
On  January 22, 2025, City Manager Mr. Mortell, wrote to us, ” In response to your inquiry about a request for an extension beyond February 3, 2025, that is completely your choice.  I did not consider the statement to be a deadline that would create any hardship but instead it was a request that the City place the job out for bid if we did not have anything by then.  I do not feel comfortable having the City put the matter out to bid and would much rather have you select your own contractor.  Right now, the City just needs the scope of services and estimate so that it can determine if the proposal is feasible.
On January 27, 2025, the Hamiltons provided FloridaCommerce and the State Historic Preservation Office with the estimate and scope of work by McKee Renovations to repair the damage from the previous contractor, to install the correct size windows, and to bring the sub-fascia and fascia up to Florida Building Code, and to bring the building to the original historic look.
On January 31, 2025, Miss Gandhi-Savdas notified the Hamiltons (email)
“Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton,
Thank you for the information.  As per Graham, I understand that you provided the quote to SHPO and Florida Commerce.  Currently, we are waiting for Florida Commerce to provide direction on the next steps.  Thank you.
Pinal”
February 19, 2025, Ms. Gandhi-Savdas notified the Hamiltons that the State Historic Preservation Office approved the proposed work by McRenovation. (Email)

Hi Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton,
Please see the attached letter from SHPO.   We are waiting for direction from Florida Commerce on the next steps with the project.  Thank you.
Pinal
On March 7, 2024, FloridaCommerce notified the Hamiltons (email):

 Good Afternoon,

This email is being sent in follow-up to our conversation earlier today. Representatives from my office met with the City of Stuart of Wednesday, March 5th, 2025. As part of my meeting with the City, the City agreed to a series of action items that I would like to present to you both for your consideration:
– The City is materially comfortable with the work write-up provided by McKee Renovations and FloridaCommerce is also comfortable.
– Prior to any additional construction occurring, the City requests that a structural engineer of your choosing evaluate the property to determine whether any additional work is needed in addition to the work write-up provided by McKee Renovations. Please coordinate to identify three (3) qualified and reputable structural engineers that you would be comfortable inspecting your home. Once you have identified those companies, please provide the related information and I will coordinate with the City for their consideration of the engineers.
– The structural engineer will provide a written estimate of any work (in addition to the work proposed by McKee Renovations) that needs to be done on your home. This should be consolidated into a single scope of work for any and all work that must be completed.”

On May 13, 2025, the structural engineer stated in his report the same shoddy and destructive work by Patriot Response Group the Hamiltons complained about to the City and Guardian Community Resource Management, Inc. back in July, 2024.

Please see the report below.

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On June 24, 2025, Ms. Gandhi-Savdas sent an email to the Hamiltons: ” Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, Attached is the scope of work, specs (provided by McKee Renovations), and owner acknowledgement form for your review and approval.  The scope of work will be forwarded to the SHPO for review after it has been finalized and agreed upon.  Following receipt of approval from the SHPO, the homeowner will be required to sign the acknowledgement form once there is a final agreed upon scope of work and before the project goes out to bid.”
Ms. Gandhi-Savdas attached another set of the documents stating the City of Stuart CDBG Program for the Hamiltons to sign! The second round of the CDBG federal funds, taxpayers’ money?! And again, the City Administration in tandem with Guardian CRM, Inc., have pulled another deception on the Hamiltons. As per the City’s ultimatum, the Hamiltons provided the City with the contractor’s write-up and estimates, the City and Guardian CRM, Inc. took the hours of work done by McKee Renovations, the floor plans and measurements, they blatantly removed McKee Renovations credentials, and now are going to send the write-up by McKee Renovations to other contractors for rebidding.The City and Guardian Community Resource Management Inc, literally exploited McKee Renovations! And what about the potential bid rigging when for example a grant managing firm let their contractors know in advance the estimates by another contractor? Are the City and Mr. Jenkins of Guardian CRM, Inc. are planning to bring another “patriot response group?” The City Administration’s absolute lack of moral compass and integrity is apparent and appalling. Obviously, there is no end to this ongoing deception! Since August 26, 2024, the Hamiltons were told they are allowed to hire their own contractor.

On September 2, 2025, the Hamiltons sent an email:

To McKee Renovations – DHR Project File No.: 2023-5606 / 311 SW 3rd Street, Stuart, Florida FDEO HUD Small Cities CDBG

CC to: FloridaCommerce, the State Historic Preservation Office, the City of Stuart Commissioners.

To McKee Renovations.

Dear Mr. McKee and Mr. Maiorino,
As the City of Stuart Manager Mortell brought your company’s name at the City Commission meeting on August 25, 2025, this letter also serves as a public clarification of Mr. Mortell’s untruthful statement as we quote, “he (Mr. Hamilton, Jr.) said he wanted to do his own scope of services. He hired a group called McKee group to do the scope of services.”
We, Olga Hamilton and Robert W. Hamilton, Jr., have been misled for months and you, unfortunately, have been exploited by the City Administration to do a free work write-up for them on the federally-funded program Small Cities Community Development Block Grant administered by FloridaCommerce.
Mr. McKee and Mr. Maiorino, we are very grateful for your response to accept a job after we received the letter from Liberty Impact Windows & Doors, included in the attached correspondence from City Manager Mortell, FloridaCommerce, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Structural Engineer.
On December 27, 2024 (email), City Manager Mr. Mortell gave us an “ultimatum” as we quote, “Am not in a rush or trying to get your house finished at a particular time. Since July, you have obtained permission from Florida Commerce to use the Contractor of
your choice. If you have not selected a contractor by February 3, 2025, the Grant Administrator has requested that the City Re-bid the windows through the procurement process.”
On January 15, 2025, via email, we updated the City Administration, FloridaCommerce, and the SHPO on the work write-up progress.
And on January 22, 2025 (email), City Manager Mortell responded as we quote, “In response to your inquiry about a request for an extension beyond February 3, 2025, that is completely your choice. I did not consider the statement to be a deadline… I do not feel comfortable having the City put the matter out to bid and would much rather have you select your own contractor. Right now, the City just needs the scope of services and estimates so that it can determine if the proposal is feasible.”
Mr. McKee and Mr. Maiorino, we truly appreciate the days of your time and expertise, your attention to measurements and every detail of our historical building of the Pioneer Church, working on the scope of services and estimates.
On January 27 and 31, 2025 (emails), we provided FloridaCommerce, the SHPO, CRA Director and CDBG project manager Ms. Gandhi-Savdas with your, McKee Renovations’ scope of work and estimates, drawings and photographs, and PGT Windows NOA.
On January 31, 2025 (email), Ms. Gandhi-Savdas responded to us, “Thank you for the information. As per Graham, I understand that you provided the quote to SHPO and FloridaCommerce. Currently, we are waiting for Florida Commerce to provide direction on the next steps.”
On February 19, 2025 (email), Ms. Gandhi-Savdas provided us with the SHPO letter stating, “Based on the information provided, the proposed window replacements appear to meet the
Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. The proposed work seems to match the previously existing in scale and design.
On March 7, 2025 (email), FloridaCommerce notified us, “Representatives from my office met
with the City of Stuart on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025… The City is materially comfortable with the work write-up provided by McKee Renovations and FloridaCommerce is also comfortable. Prior to any additional construction occurring, the City requests that a
structural engineer of your choosing evaluate the property to determine whether any additional work is needed in addition to the work write-up provided by McKee Renovations. The structural engineer will provide a written estimate of any work (in addition to
the work proposed by McKee Renovations) that needs to be done on your home. This should be consolidated into a single scope of work for any and all work that must be completed.”
On April 8, 2025, you both, Mr. McKee and Mr. Maiorino, per a request by Mr. Friant of Specialty Engineering Services & Solution, forwarded by FloridaCommerce to the City on April 1, 2025 (email), you met with Mr. Friant on our property in the presence of
FloridaCommerce officials Mr. Markarian and Ms. Jackson with no known objection from the City Administration.
On May 15, 2025, we received the structural engineer report, and we continued to work on the scope of work per the City’s instruction in FloridaCommerce’s letter dated March 7, 2025 , consolidating additional work based on the engineer report into a single scope of work.
At least since December 2024, including your meeting with the structural engineer, neither the City Administration nor FloridaCommerce wrote to us that as soon as you would finish the scope of work they will put the project on re-bidding.
But on June 24, 2025, we received an email from CRA Director Ms.Gandhi-Savdas with the attachments, notifying us, “Attached the scope of work, specs (provided by McKee Renovations) goes out to bid.” The City Administration and the Small Cities CDBG Program Administrators took your write-up and estimates, including measurements, drawings, and photographs, and removed your credentials and estimates for sending the scope of work you
have done to other contractors for rebidding.
As Mr. Mortell stated at the above mentioned Commission meeting, “CRA Director took McKee’s letterhead off and changed the prices”- that was the only true statement by City Manage along with his threats regarding our project at that meeting.
Out of respect for you and your professionalism, Mr. McKee and Mr. Maiorino, as of today, we have not signed the documents sent to us by the City Administration, which includes your
proprietary work you put your valuable time into.
We are very regretful as we should have known better not to put our trust again into the City Administration.
Sincerely,
Olga Hamilton and Robert W. Hamilton, Jr.
DHR Project File No.: 2023-5606 / 311 SW 3rd Street, Stuart, Florida –
Housing Rehabilitation FDEO HUD Small Cities CDBG

A Potemkin village is a fake construction that is intended to deceive people into believing that a situation is better than it actually is. And one more question would be how many fake rehabilitated houses are now on the real estate market for buyers to deal later with leaking roofs, windows, etc? How many homeowners have been threatened with liens or with any other means like being told they will be left with incomplete project, and forced to sign the release of federal funds? How many homeowners even don’t know if their signatures have been forged on the documents?