South Florida man hides criminal past to get luxury rental

A man who wanted to rent a $13,000-a-month penthouse in a Sunny Isles Beach high-rise was found guilty in federal court of trying to hide a criminal past and faking the building approval process.

Alfred Lenoris Davis, 50, was convicted by a Miami federal grand jury of using a counterfeit device to lie about the lease of a Sunny Isles Beach penthouse, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida . His application misled the board into believing that Davis’ mother would rent the penthouse, and he provided a fake license with her photo.

The reason ? Federal lawyers argued that Davis intended to hide his criminal history. Davis was convicted of bank fraud in 2004.

Davis’ attorney, Zeljka Bozanic, did not respond to multiple email requests for comment.

Davis got away with a misleading application and license for nearly a year. He signed the lease in April 2023 and had access to all the amenities of the condo and his 3,088 square foot apartment, nestled in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County: Sunny Isles Beach.

The area stretches between Surfside and Golden Beach and is close to Aventura on the mainland. Sunny Isles Beach has some of the most expensive high-rise sales and rents due to demand from deep-pocketed residents in the high-rises and designer residences lining the beachfront.

Located atop the 20-story Sunny Isles 400 Residences at 500 Sunny Isles Blvd., the condo in question was renting for $13,000 per month. The 3,088-square-foot residence included four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a powder room and a piece of roof with a patch of artificial grass and a Jacuzzi overlooking the water.

In February, FBI agents in Miami concluded a nearly year-long investigation. Davis was charged with lying on the rental agreement application using a counterfeit device and hiding his criminal history.

In July, Davis returns to Miami federal court for a sentencing hearing with U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez. He faces up to ten years in prison.

Rebecca San Juan writes about the real estate industry, covering news on industrial, commercial, office projects, construction contracts and the intersection of real estate and law for industry professionals. She studied at Mount Holyoke College and is proud to report on her hometown.
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