Architect's License Used After His Death

On Thursday, December 29th, we learned that Mr. Leonard LaForest, a licensed architect who performed design work for many homes on Marco Island, sadly passed away on November 15th, 2021.

Most troubling is that we have continued to receive plans signed and sealed using Mr. LaForest’s credentials after his death. We have passed this information and all records on this matter to multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Marco Island Police, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and Collier County Contractor Licensing, who are actively investigating this matter.

We are notifying all contacts for projects that we’ve identified as having plans signed and sealed using Mr. LaForest’s credentials after his death. These projects must have their plans reviewed, if necessary revised, and signed and sealed by a licensed design professional. 

All projects currently under construction with plans signed and sealed using Mr. Laforest’s credentials after his death must stop until their plans are updated by a new licensed design professional.

Please direct any and all questions pertaining to the active investigation to the law enforcement agencies listed above.