California Brokers Disavow Any Knowledge of Florida: 'We Know Thee Not, Old Man'

GUEST POST: CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION SEEKS TO FAST-TALK ITS WAY OUT THE BIG CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U.S. YACHT BROKERAGE SECTOR

Prince Hal breaks up his bromance with fat old Falstaff, bad-influence incarnate, in a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry 4. That’s me on the right.

Preface: This piece appeared originally in Peter Swanson’s “Loose Cannon” newsletter and is reprinted here as part of Peter’s and my “Special Edition” team coverage of the lawsuit, its background, and the questions it raises. You can elect to read this particular piece free, but to read the entire series, including those editions which appeared previously and the numerous ones expected to follow as the suit moves forward, we ask that you become a paid subscriber either to “Loose Cannon” or to “For Yacht Builders, Buyers, and Owners” (FYBBO).

— Phil Friedman

Paraphrasing: “Don’t sue us. Your beef is with the State of California and its pertinent agencies. Sue them.”

California’s yacht brokers want the world to know: They’ve got nothing to do with naughty old Florida, especially when it comes to that big lawsuit accusing everyone of cheating clients. It matters not that Florida is the biggest boat market on the planet. When it comes to brokering boats, “Florida, we know thee not.”1

The California Yacht Brokers Association last week swore to a federal judge that it has “no business in the Southern District of Florida.” According to CYBA President Mark White, the non-profit association has:

1. Not registered in Florida;

2. No license in Florida;

3. No office in Florida;

4. No employees in Florida;

5. No marketing in Florida;

6. No marketing to Florida brokers;

7. No marketing to Florida residents;

8. No sales in Florida,

9. No real property in Florida;

10. No personal property in Florida;

11. No telephone number in Florida;

12. No mailing address in Florida;

13. No bank account in Florida;

14. No insurance in Florida;

15. Does not pay any taxes in Florida;

16. No officers nor directors living in Florida;

17. All members are licensed in California;

18. All CYBA members are required to have a business address in California;

19. All CYBA members must display their paper license in California;

20. CYBA’S Form Agreements are only available to its California licensed members.