Fetes & Events Prevails in Miami Hall Dispute Verdict

Case Background

This case took place in Miami-Dade County between a local charitable organization and its long time event manager. The dispute centered on control over a historic community hall located at 270 Catalonia Avenue, Coral Gables. The Plaintiff, K. of C. Council Hall Club, Inc., better known as the Knights of Columbus Council No. 3274, filed the lawsuit against Fetes & Events, Inc., an event management company they had hired years earlier.

The controversy grew from allegations that Fetes overstepped its contractual authority, interfered with the Knights’ charitable activities, and effectively took control of the premises. The Knights of Columbus, a fraternal Catholic service organization, argued that Fetes not only breached its management agreement but also trespassed on the property, violated their privacy, and disrupted fundraising events intended to benefit local students and charitable programs. The case eventually went to trial before the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit.

Cause that led to the dispute

The dispute originated from a management agreement signed in 2007, which allowed Fetes to operate the Knights’ hall with strict oversight. The Knights claimed that Fetes began acting as if it owned the property outright. They accused the company of barring them from using their own space, locking them out of key areas, installing unauthorized surveillance equipment, and tampering with fixtures. Events escalated when Fetes allegedly sabotaged the Knights’ annual scholarship fundraiser by turning off lights, disconnecting air conditioning, and hiding necessary equipment.

The Knights contended that Fetes rented out the hall without permission, violated religious guidelines by removing emblems, stored liquor illegally, and even spied on confidential board meetings. They described a pattern of harassment that, according to them,