Atty Appears Before Miami-Dade Committee to 'Avoid Filing Billion-Dollar Lawsuit'

Yet another lawsuit has been filed in the aviation universe... but this time, this one may have a point. Attorney Willie Gary recently went before the Miami-Dade Airport and Seaport Committee in an attempt to "avoid billion-dollar litigation against Miami-Dade County Aviation Department ("MDAD") and AA Acquisitions, Inc. ("AA") for their reckless and discriminatory treatment of Opa-locka Flightline, LLC ("OLF")."

Gary represents Opa-locka Flightline, which has the distinction of being the only African-American-owned and operated FBO in the nation. Their contention is that in their negotiation for a new lease with MDAD, MDAD improperly assigned Opa-locka's leasehold interest to AA.

"As soon as MDAD got in bed with AA, they colluded to destroy and put my client out of business. MDAD breached its promises and failed to live up to its contractual obligations. My client relied on the County's representations to its detriment and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of its hard earned money," claims Gary.

At the Committee meeting, Gary (Pictured above with his clients) implored the Commissioners to investigate the 'reckless and discriminatory conduct of MDAD and AA against his client.' Gary also alleges that other non-minority FBO received preferential treatment with the leases once the County assigned its interests to AA. Instead, OLF is facing an illegal eviction proceeding from AA and other threats by MDAD. Gary further contends that as a result of its illegal and discriminatory conduct against Opa-locka Flightline, MDAD has violated both state and federal laws that could seriously put all the federal funding for the Miami-Dade Airport and related entities in jeopardy.

"We certainly do not want to sue the County because we believe that they should do the right thing and honor their commitment; but if we have no choice, we will do what we have to do to seek justice," concluded Gary.

FMI: www.oflightline.com