Neighbors want rapper Pitbull to clean up trash at abandoned house

MIAMI – A molding, single-family eyesore with a knocked-over fence and trashy yard that embarrasses neighbors – it’s not really what you’d expect from a house associated with flashy Latino rapper Armando “Pitbull” Pirez. The self-ascribed Mr. 305 has spent much of the last decade staring down at the rest of Miami from Top 40 charts, racking in millions in record deals and frequenting South Florida’s hottest clubs. Mr. Worldwide is known for numerous investments including restaurants and at least one other residential property.

But at this Pinecrest property, you’ll find peacocks, not scantily-clad women, basking in the sun. And instead of messages from adoring fans, the front door is plastered with notices of code violations for abandoned or unkept property – specifically trash, dilapidated structures, and standing water. And no sign of Pitbull. (He’s on tour.)

County records show the property was purchased in February 2015 for $850,000 by Enpi Gao LLC, a company registered to the same address as Pitbull’s record label, Mr 305 Inc, and dozens of other companies associated with the popular rapper’s empire. At the time of the purchase, Enpi Gao was managed by Michael Calderon, one of Pitbull’s personal managers. A developer whose sign was on the property said his wife brokered the sale of the house to Pitbull, a friend of the couple. Still, Pitbull’s lawyer, Leslie Zigel, said his client denied owning the property and that he would provide no further comment.

Lance Kyle grew up in the house across the street. He says Pitbull never actually lived at 7474 SW 102nd St. But as the apparent owner of the group of businesses associated with the property, the rapper should be held responsible for its upkeep, Kyle said.

By the looks of it, the property has been neglected for a while. Maybe even since the last owner died and the estate sold the home to Enpi Gao. Now, Kyle has started a petition to get Pitbull to clean it up.

“Pitbull, look man it’s not personal. Just be a good neighbor,” said Kyle, whose 74 year old-mother still lives across from the dilapidated property. He says the state of Pitbull’s property could affect their home value if the family ever decides to sell.

“I’m sure in the past year we’ve had code enforcement out here at least 10 times. That’s a conservative estimate,” Kyle said. On his petition he named Pitbull and wrote: “He has purportedly been getting fined $100 a day since March 2018 for not complying with the Village of Pinecrest Code of Ordinances but the Village should do more.” He said the trash problems began after Hurricane Irma.

On Oct. 17, 2017, a code inspector issued a verbal warning about the weeds and trash littering the lawn – but to whom is unclear from the record. In May 2018, the property received a reminder for the same violations – weeds, trash, standing water. The most recent violations are unresolved according to village records, though it’s unclear if the property owner has been fined for these violations, as Kyle wrote.

Pinecrest’s crackdown on nuisance code violations hasn’t been directed only at Pitbull. The village issued 633 nuisance code violations in 2017, up from 439 the year before, according to Pinecrest’s records. Kyle said in recent years many properties in the neighborhood have been sold to speculators who, in turn, tear buildings down to replace them with more modern structures. Those construction projects have caused problems like noise and excess dust and exhaust, according to Kyle.

On the fence of the once-beautiful home was a sign for G3 Development, and the direct phone number of CEO Michael Garcia Carrillo. Garcia told the Miami Herald his wife, Paola Garcia Carrillo, the listed agent in the 2015 transaction, brokered the deal with Pitbull himself. G3 was not directly involved with the sale nor does it manage the property, according to Garcia. But Garcia said Pitbull was a friend and had allowed him to advertise his company there. “I have really nothing to do with the property anymore,” Garcia insisted.

When asked why Pitbull apparently neglected the property, Garcia responded, “I guess he is busy,” before offering to call his friend to ask. When pressed, Garcia would not say why Pitbull had originally purchased the property, then quickly hung up saying the Herald reporter was asking too many questions. Paola Garcia Carrillo did not respond to the Herald’s attempts to contact her.

The sign advertising G3 Development was removed from the property the same day.