Case Background
The Gran Logia de Cuba A.L. & A.M., Inc., a long-standing fraternal organization founded in 1977, found itself at the center of a bitter leadership struggle. For decades, the group operated as a non-profit dedicated to Masonic history and philosophy. Tensions boiled over in 2019 when the organization's members voted by a supermajority to transition and become "regular" Florida Masons under the Grand Lodge of Florida. Following this shift, two distinct groups the "Camejo Group" and the "Tandron Group" began a fierce battle for corporate control.
Cause
The conflict intensified after the 2019 transition. The Tandron Group, led by Luis Antonio Barrero and Julio Tandron, claimed they were the rightful leaders and filed documents with the state to install themselves as the board. Meanwhile, the Camejo Group, which included Calixto Casanas and Osmani Camejo, asserted that they remained the legitimate authority based on the 2019 supermajority vote and subsequent election processes.
Injury
The Tandron Group allegedly took physical control of the Lodge's property at 910 NW 22nd Avenue in Miami, even changing the locks to keep other members out. This move prevented the Camejo Group from accessing corporate records and meeting spaces. Furthermore, the organization suffered financial losses as funds were allegedly depleted from corporate accounts.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiff sought a Court order to recognize the Camejo Group as the legitimate board, the return of all corporate records and property, and compensatory damages exceeding $30,000 for the loss of access and unauthorized use of funds.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case moved to a five-day jury trial where both sides presented competing versions of the organization's history and its recent elections. The central question for the jury was determining which group held the actual corporate authority.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Gran Logia De Cuba A.L. & A.M., Inc.
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Joel A. Bello
Defendant(s): Luis Antonio Barrero | Armando Salas Amaro | Julio Tandron
Counsel for Defendant(s): Bryan Calvo | Edward A. Maldonado | Jason Bloch | Rebecca Tahlov | Sean W Gellis
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Counsel for the Camejo Group argued that the 2019 supermajority vote had legally and spiritually transformed the organization, and that the Tandron Group's later attempts to seize power were a "rogue" takeover. They emphasized that the will of the members, expressed through the vote, should be the final word.
In response, the Tandron Group’s legal team contended that the 2019 changes were invalid or improperly executed. They argued that their clients were the true successors of the original Lodge and that the Camejo Group was trying to dismantle the organization’s traditions and divert its assets to a new, competing entity.
Claims
The legal claims focused on trespass to the Lodge's property and the fraudulent filing of corporate amendments. The Camejo Group also accused the Tandron Group of breaching their duties to the organization by locking out members and mishandling funds.
Defense
The Tandron Group defended their actions by asserting they had the only legitimate claim to leadership. They filed their own counterclaims, alleging that the Camejo Group had abandoned the original Lodge to form a separate organization, Fraternidad Lodge No. 414, and had no right to the original Lodge’s name or property.
Jury Verdict
After a five-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, the jury returned its verdict on August 29, 2025, signed by Jury Foreperson Ottoniel Fernandez, and filed with the Court on September 15, 2025.
On the threshold corporate authority question, the jury determined that the Camejo Group comprising Plaintiff Gran Logia de Cuba A.L. & A.M., Inc. and Third-Party Defendants Calixto Casanas, Pablo Sanchez, Osmani Camejo, Felix Lorie, and Fraternidad Lodge No. 414, Inc. constituted the legitimate Board of Directors of Gran Logia de Cuba A.L. & A.M., Inc. Consequently, the Tandron Group comprising Defendants Luis Antonio Barrero, Armando Salas Amaro, and Julio Tandron was found to have no legitimate corporate authority over the organization.
On the Plaintiff's claims against the Tandron Group, the jury found that the Tandron Group unlawfully entered and remained on the corporate property at 910 NW 22nd Avenue, Miami, Florida, without permission from the legitimate corporate officers, and that this trespass caused damages to the Camejo Group, awarding $500.00 in nominal damages. On the conversion claim, the jury found that the Tandron Group did wrongfully convert property belonging to the Plaintiff, but awarded damages of $0 (None).
On the Third-Party Complaint claims brought by the Tandron Group against the Camejo Group, the jury rejected all claims, finding no conversion, no breach of fiduciary duty, no trespass, and no civil conspiracy by the Camejo Group against the Tandron Group. Accordingly, no damages were awarded to the Tandron Group on any of their claims.
