Board Meeting

OCTOBER 30, 2003

Rick Argov and Interior Design Center
Case Numbers 2003-002640 and 2003-001382
Rami Argov and Interior Design Center
Case Numbers 2003-002389 and 2003-050456
Uri Gavish and Interior Design Center
Case No. 2003-002387

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $15,000.00 against the Deerfield Beach design firm Interior Design Center and its principals, Rick Argov, Rami Argov, and Uri Gavish.

The firm and its principals were holding themselves out as interior designers and offering interior design services without a license. The firm also contracted to perform interior designs services.

After reviewing the evidence that showed the firm brochure and individual business cards offered interior design services, along with the numerous contracts for interior design services, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $15,000.00.

The Board is charged with enforcing the laws and rules regarding the practice of architecture and interior design, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of Florida's citizens.

Randall E. Barnes
Case No. 2002-012488

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation placing Randall E. Barnes license to practice architecture on probation for three years and imposed a fine of $4,000.00. The complaint alleged that Mr. Barnes committed negligence and failed to exercise proper responsible supervisory control for a project in Destin, Florida.

Mitch Baxley
Case No. 2003-057718

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $2,500.00 against Mitch Baxley, Panama City, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Baxley illegally offered and provided architectural services for the design of a commercial project in Destin, Florida.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Baxley was offering and providing architectural services, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $2,500.00 for one count of practicing architecture without a license.

Dean A. Bolaris
Bolaris & Associates Architects, Inc.
Case No. 2002-01268

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order imposing a $2,000.00 fine and costs of $378.00. The complaint alleged that Mr. Bolaris practiced architecture through a business entity that did not have a certificate of authorization.

Alvah P. Breitweiser
Case No. 2000-03544

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered suspending Alvah P. Breitweiser, Ft. Myers, Florida, from the practice of architecture.

Mr. Breitweiser, a Florida licensed architect, was charged with negligence, practicing beyond the scope of his license, and failing to exercise proper responsible supervisory control for a project with the Forest Oaks Lutheran Church in Spring Hill, Florida.

After reviewing the evidence, the Board suspended Mr. Breitweiser from the practice of architecture in the State of Florida for six months, placed him on probation for five years, and imposed a fine of $3,000.00.

Patricia Davidson
Interior Design Center of Tampa
Case No. 2003-056009

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a fine of $1,120.84 against Patricia Davidson and Interior Design Center of Tampa for practicing interior design without a license and holding herself out as an interior designer without a license.

Helmuth Geiser
Case No. 2002-012622

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $10,000.00 against Helmuth Geiser, Cape Coral, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Geiser illegally offered architectural services for the development of Tranquility Bay Development and held himself out as an architect.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Geiser was offering architectural services by entering into a contract for such services and holding himself out as an architect, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $10,000.00.

Broderick Husserl
Case No. 2003-054292

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a $3,000.00 fine against Broderick Husserl. The complaint alleged that Mr. Husserl used the title architect or words to that effect without a license.

Julie Kovach
Case No. 2003-069215

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a $5,000.00 fine and costs of $876.00 against Julie Kovach. The complaint alleged that Mrs. Kovach held herself out as an interior designer while her license was in a null and void status.

Monroe Lee
Case No. 2002-013382

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $5,000.00 against Monroe Lee, Madison, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Lee illegally offered and provided architectural services for the design of the Church of Apostolic Faith.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Lee was offering and providing architectural services, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $5,000.00 for one count of practicing architecture.

Thomas G. Lynn
Case No. 2003-044434
Lynn & Partners
Case No. 2003-044420

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a $15,000.00 fine against Thomas G. Lynn and Lynn & Partners. The complaint alleged that Mr. Lynn was offering architectural services without a license.

Johnny Moore
Case No. 2003-045230

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $7,500.00 against Johnny Moore, Brandon, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Moore illegally offered and provided architectural services for the design of a commercial project and held himself out as an architect.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Moore was offering and providing architectural services along with holding himself out as an architect, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $7,500.00.

Donald L. Morris
Case No. 2002-014031

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order placing Donald L. Morris license to practice architecture on probation for four years and imposed a fine of $5,000.00. The complaint alleged that Mr. Morris improperly received funds from a Contractor without the knowledge of his client and was offering architectural services through a business entity without a certificate of authorization.

Douglas A. Mummaw
Mummaw & Associates
Case No. 2003-042282
Case No. 2003-042289

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $5,000.00 against Douglas A. Mummaw, Boca Raton, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Mummaw illegally executed an Architect’s Certificate of Payment as an architect, and offered interior design services without a valid license.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Mummaw signed the certificates as an architect, along with the firm’s letterhead which offered interior design services, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $5,000.00.

Suzanne Nichols Design Group
Case No. 2003-004574

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order imposing a $2,000.00 fine and costs of $216.00. The complaint alleged that Mrs. Nichols practiced interior design through a business entity that did not have a certificate of authorization.

Stephen M. Page
Nichols/Page Design Associates
Case No. 2003-066419

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a $5,000.00 fine against Stephen M. Page. The complaint alleged that Mr. Page used the title architect or words to that effect and offered architectural services while his license was in a null and void status.

Jeffrey D. Platt
Case No. 2002-008597

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered imposing a fine of $5,000.00 against Jeffrey D. Platt, Orlando, Florida for the unlicensed practice of architecture.

Mr. Platt illegally offered and provided architectural services for the design of a day care center.

After reviewing the evidence that showed Mr. Platt was offering and providing architectural services, the Board entered a final order imposing a fine of $5,000.00 for one count of practicing architecture.

Joesph A. Rispoli
Case No. 2003-002397
Rolando Sosa
Case No. 2003-002403
Rispoli-Sosa Architecture, Inc.
Case No. 2003-002391

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was approved which fines Joseph Rispoli and Rolando Sosa $40,000.00 for the unlicensed practice of architecture and holding themselves out as architects.

Mr. Rispoli and Mr. Sosa are principals of the firm Rispoli-Sosa Architecture, Inc., however, neither of these individuals are licensed to practice architecture in the State of Florida. Mr. Rispoli and Mr. Sosa agreed to settle complaints which alleged that they improperly held themselves out as architects on their resumes and practiced architecture by executing contracts. Mr. Rispoli was fined $15,000.00 plus costs of $624.00 and Mr. Sosa was fined $25,000.00 plus cost of $648.00. Both individuals were given twelve months to pay the fines and costs.

The complaints alleged that Mr. Rispoli’s resume held himself out as the architect of record for the Marion County Public School System, Lake County, and Central Florida Community College. Mr. Sosa’s resume held himself out as the architect of record for the Marion County Public School Systems, Lake Sumter Community College, and Central Florida Community College. Florida law prohibits an individual from using the title architect unless they are licensed in the State of Florida.

The complaints also alleged six incidents in which these individuals executed contracts as architects with the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, Inc., Lake County, Marion County, and the City of Ocala. Florida law prohibits an individual from practicing or offering to practice architecture unless they are licensed in the State of Florida.

There was also a third complaint against the firm, Rispoli-Sosa Architecture, Inc., which was settled by allowing the firm to change its name so that the public would not be misled in believing that either of these individuals were licensed architects in the State of Florida.

The cases were originally presented to the Board with a recommendation of fines of $10,000.00 and the agreement that the firm would relinquish its license to practice architecture; however, the Board rejected these stipulations and imposed the above referenced discipline which was agreed to by the parties.

Julie Schiff
Case No. 2003-042285

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design entered a final order approving a settlement stipulation imposing a $3,500.00 fine against Julie Schiff. The complaint alleged that Ms. Schiff held herself out as a project architect when she was not the holder of a valid license.

Donald Stansell
Case No. 2003-001559

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered suspending Donald Stansell, Montgomery, Alabama, from the practice of architecture in the State of Florida.

Mr. Stansell, a Florida licensed architect, signed seven Architect’s Certificate of Payments without visiting the construction site for a project with the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida Inc. Due to Mr. Stansell’s failure to inspect the construction site, numerous construction errors occurred that could have been corrected.

After reviewing the evidence, the Board suspended Mr. Stansell from the practice of architecture in the State of Florida for two years, and imposed a fine of $2,000.00.

The Board is charged with enforcing the laws and rules regarding the practice of architecture and interior design, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of Florida's citizens.

Joseph R. Vislay
Case No. 2002-01985, 2003-001717, and 2003-001695

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design announces that on October 30, 2003, a final order was entered suspending Joseph R. Vislay, Cocoa Beach, Florida, from the practice of architecture.

Mr. Vislay, a Florida licensed architect, was charged with negligence, aiding unlicensed activity, and failing to exercise proper responsible supervisory control for a residential project located in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

After reviewing the evidence, the Board suspended Mr. Vislay from the practice of architecture in the State of Florida for six months, placed him on probation for two years, and imposed a fine of $2,000.00