Permit Fraud Scheme: Business Owner Fined $100,000

A Naples business owner, Octavio Sarmiento, and his company, ASSA Designs LLC, have settled with the state for $100,000 over their involvement in a permit fraud scheme. This settlement was approved by the Board of Architecture and Interior Design on April 21, 2026. Sarmiento faced a potential fine of up to $425,000 due to a 107-count administrative complaint, including charges for practicing architecture without a license and misusing another architect's seal.

The scheme primarily involved the unauthorized use of a seal belonging to Gene Cravillion, a retired architect in his 90s who suffers from late-stage dementia and resides in a memory care center. Hundreds of construction plans submitted to Collier County, the city of Naples, and the city of Marco Island for various projects utilized Cravillion's seal without his knowledge or permission. Sarmiento was also ordered to pay $3,435 for the board's investigative costs.

The permit fraud surfaced when a Naples resident reported suspicious activity related to construction errors on her home. This led to an investigation involving local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI. While Sarmiento's case has been settled, a criminal case remains pending. Other individuals involved in the scheme have also faced fines and penalties, with some cases settled and others closed.

David Wainscott and Wainscott Designs previously agreed to a $50,000 fine for practicing architecture without a license and is expected to testify in the federal case against Sarmiento. In a separate development, Wainscott has sued Sarmiento for damages related to the fraud. The Florida Building Code mandates that most construction plans be signed and sealed by a licensed professional.