Former Key West Official Indicted in Organized Fraud Case
A Monroe County grand jury returned an additional indictment charging former Key West chief building official Raj Ramsingh and contractor George Beys in an alleged organized fraud scheme exceeding fifty thousand dollars, deepening an investigation that has already led to multiple felony counts. The developments matter to local residents because they raise questions about permitting integrity, municipal oversight, and potential impacts on property renovations, insurance and public trust.
A grand jury returned an additional indictment on November 19 that added felony counts against Raj Ramsingh, Key West's former chief building official, and George Beys, owner of George's Plumbing, in an alleged organized fraud scheme exceeding fifty thousand dollars. The superseding indictment reportedly includes conspiracy to commit organized fraud and organized fraud among the new charges, and centers on work performed at a residence that prosecutors say exceeded the scope of issued permits and on alleged alterations to permitting records.
The new filings increase Ramsingh's total number of felony public order charges to eighteen. Prosecutors allege a pattern of improper permit issuance to friends and associates, changes to permitting records, issuance of permits for a property renovation in which Ramsingh was accused of having a conflict, and deletion of text messages to impede investigations. Ramsingh has been suspended without pay while the city conducts an internal investigation. The State Attorney's Office has been pursuing grand jury level inquiries into alleged misconduct connected to permitting and related matters for several months.
For Monroe County residents the case touches directly on the reliability of the permitting process that governs construction, safety and property values across the island. Allegations that permits were issued improperly and records were altered can create uncertainty for homeowners who have relied on municipal inspections and approvals when renovating or buying property. Local contractors may face increased scrutiny and longer approval timelines as officials reexamine past permits and procedures.
Next legal steps include processing of the grand jury indictments and potential arraignments for those charged. The evolving criminal case will likely continue to prompt administrative reviews at the municipal level and calls for reforms to strengthen oversight and transparency. Beyond the immediate legal consequences, the matter raises broader questions about municipal governance and the institutional safeguards needed to maintain public confidence in small jurisdictions that rely heavily on local relationships and trust.
