St. George University (Grenada) - The 2nd Chance Med School for Flunkies and the Road to Riches for its Founder, Charles Modica
Dirt Digger IIIYou may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself, "Well, how did I get here?"
~David Byrne - Talking Heads - "Once in a Lifetime"
The road to riches is often littered with potholes, ditches and detours. It is also often paved with the skeletons of the past. How well you can keep these skeletons from rearing their ugly heads is crucial for maintaining appearances... and preventing the carefully crafted facade from crumbling down around you.
Here's a story of one man's success at keeping the skeletons at bay... and turning a quaint little medical school nestled in the Islands of the Caribbean into his billion dollar baby!
Charles Modica wanted to be a doctor but couldn't seem to get in to any of the medical schools in the United States. In order to pursue his medical training, Modica was forced to apply to schools abroad. He ended up attending medical school in Spain.
He dropped out of med school after only a year. He compiled a self-help instructional guide on how to get into foreign medical schools. He sold this guide for $8.95 a pop which helped to pay his way through law school instead.
As he was selling the book, he noticed a common theme. The most frequent question that purchasers were seeking the answer to was 'how to get into a foreign medical school in an English-speaking country?'.
Sensing an opportunity, Mr. Modica sent proposals to “every English-speaking country in the world” promoting the creation of a medical school. "Grenada bit", he says, "in the euphoria of having just attained its independence from Great Britain".
St. George’s, named for the capital city of Grenada, opened it's doors to medical students nearly three years later, in 1977. The rest of the story is quite interesting.
The ugly truth about Caribbean medical schools
But, let's not start there... Let's dig a little deeper into the background and of events that led to the rise of this small Caribbean island medical school and the amazing financial success of it's founder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[PENDING: discussions of alleged adulterous affair(s), personal associations, and other nefarious activities, etc.]
Questions that we need more information on:
- Did Charles Modica have an adulterous affair with attorney Kelly Hyman (formerly Kally Daoud), wife of former federal judge Paul Hyman?
- How did Kelly Hyman meet Charles Modica?
- Did Kelly Hyman stay in the Plaza Hotel (owned by Donald Trump) in NYC with Charles Modica?
- Did Kelly Hyman take an adulterous trip to Grenada with Charles Modica?
- Did Charles Modica pay hush money to hide his affair with Kelly Hyman?
- If so, how much money was paid to keep her silence?
Please provide any information that you might have here: contribute information.
Suni Sands Park Mobile Home Community Dismantled by Charles Modica
Charles Modica paid almost $16 million in 2013 for the prime 10 acres of property located on Jupiter Inlet. In December of 2016 he completed the process of evicting all of the Suni Sands residents.
Some towed away their mobile homes to another location. Others left their homes there to be demolished. Some signed a settlement agreement that allowed them to stay in exchange for relinquishing the right to sue the property owner. They got a $1,000 payment from Modica. [source: Palm Beach Post]
What is Mr. Modica up to these days?
Charles Modica purchases the former Park Avenue BBQ & Grill
Modica purchased the land parcel on U.S. 1 in Tequesta for $960,000 in November, 2016 and converted it into another casual dining restaurant: Lou's Bar & Grill.
Becoming Burt Reynolds' Landlord...
It is reported that Charles Modica purchased the Hobe Sound, Florida home of Hollywood star Burt Reynolds in 2015 for $3.3 million. This was a fraction of the original asking price of $15 million. Under an arrangement with Modica, Burt Reynolds is still being allowed to live in the home... as long as he pays his rent on time!
The sale halted imminent foreclosure proceedings undertaken against the actor when he ceased paying rent in 2010. The spacious 3.4-acre property includes a 12,000-square-foot main house and a 2 bedroom guesthouse. The property also sports a helicopter pad, waterfront dock, swimming pool, movie screening room and a screened-in outdoor cabana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Living large in Jupiter, Florida.
In 2017 Charles Modica bought a 3.7-acre parcel of land which had been the home of 'The Rustic Inn Crabhouse' until Modica's purchase. It is located at 1065 State Road A1A in Jupiter Florida, just west of Modica's existing 2-acre parcel on Love Street.
The purchase of the additional 3.7-acre plot more than doubles Modica's land holdings along this section of Highway A1A, hugging the coastline and inlet of Jupiter, Florida.
Modica plans to build an outdoor marketplace featuring restaurants, offices and shops at the new location.
The Love Street project has been scaled back in size because of residents’ complaints about traffic and parking. But some residents still oppose development of the land.
A beautiful view of the Jupiter Lighthouse, docks and boats coming and going via the Jupiter Inlet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Charles is obviously pretty buddy-buddy with his tenant, Burt Reynolds. He was spotted at Burt's 82nd birthday party in February of 2018.
Political Contributions (2013-2016)
LISA A. MODICA (HOUSEWIFE/NONE), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to FRIENDS OF PATRICK MURPHY (MURPHY, PATRICK) on 03/11/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to FRIENDS OF PATRICK MURPHY (MURPHY, PATRICK) on 03/12/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2200 to FRIENDS OF PATRICK MURPHY (MURPHY, PATRICK) on 03/12/2013
LISA A. MODICA (HOUSEWIFE/NONE), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to FRIENDS OF PATRICK MURPHY (MURPHY, PATRICK) on 03/11/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to DWS VICTORY FUND (WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, DEBBIE) on 06/30/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $5100 to DWS VICTORY FUND (WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, DEBBIE) on 06/30/2013
ISA A MODICA (N/A/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $5100 to DWS VICTORY FUND (WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, DEBBIE) on 06/30/2013
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to RECCHIA FOR CONGRESS (RECCHIA, DOMENIC M JR) on 06/30/2013
LISA MODICA (N/A/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to RECCHIA FOR CONGRESS (RECCHIA, DOMENIC M JR) on 06/30/2013
LISA MODICA, (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to ALEX SINK FOR CONGRESS (SINK, ALEX) on 12/25/2013
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGES UNIV OF GRANADA/MEDICAL SHOOL), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to CUMMINGS FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (CUMMINGS, ELIJAH E) on 10/29/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to TIM BISHOP FOR CONGRESS (BISHOP, TIMOTHY) on 06/28/2013
LISA A. MODICA (N/A/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to TIM BISHOP FOR CONGRESS (BISHOP, TIMOTHY) on 06/28/2013
CHARLES R MODICA (ST. GEORGE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT GRANADA/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $32400 to DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE on 07/08/2013
CHARLES R. MODICA (BARRY UNIVERSITY/CHAIRMAN), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to ANDREWS FOR CONGRESS (ANDREWS, ROBERT E. MR.) on 09/30/2013
LISA MODICA (N/A/HOME MAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to ANDREWS FOR CONGRESS (ANDREWS, ROBERT E. MR.) on 09/30/2013
LISA MODICA (SELF/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to ENGEL FOR CONGRESS (ENGEL, ELIOT L. REP.) on 06/28/2013
LISA A MODICA (N/A/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to DEMOCRATS WIN SEATS (DWS PAC) on 12/26/2013
LISA A. MODICA (HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $32400 to DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE on 12/19/2013
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to DELBENE FOR CONGRESS (DELBENE, SUZAN K) on 04/10/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to NOLAN FOR CONGRESS VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE (NOLAN, RICHARD MICHAEL) on 04/10/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to FRIENDS OF CHERI BUSTOS (BUSTOS, CHERI) on 04/10/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to JOE GARCIA FOR CONGRESS (GARCIA, JOE) on 04/24/2014
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to DEMOCRATS WIN SEATS (DWS PAC) on 11/03/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE on 10/16/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $10000 to NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE on 10/22/2014
CHARLES MODICA, (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE on 11/24/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to ACTBLUE on 05/02/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to SCHNEIDER FOR CONGRESS (SCHNEIDER, BRADLEY SCOTT) on 05/02/2014
CHARLES R. MODICA JR. (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $20000 to DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE on 02/24/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to KUSTER FOR CONGRESS, INC. (KUSTER, ANN MCLANE) on 05/08/2014
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to DEMOCRATS WIN SEATS (DWS PAC) on 04/10/2014
CHARLES R MODICA, (Zip code: 33455) $-1600 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 11/14/2014
CHARLES R MODICA, (Zip code: 33455) $1600 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 11/14/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $5000 to ACTBLUE on 11/03/2014
CHARLES R MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $-7800 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 05/28/2014
CHARLES R MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 05/28/2014
LISA MODICA (NOT EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2600 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 05/28/2014
CHARLES R MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $12000 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 05/28/2014
CHARLES R MODICA, (Zip code: 33455) $1600 to CORY BOOKER FOR SENATE (BOOKER, CORY A) on 05/29/2014
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $1000 to DR. RAUL RUIZ FOR CONGRESS (RUIZ, RAUL DR.) on 05/05/2014
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to LOIS FRANKEL FOR CONGRESS (FRANKEL, LOIS J.) on 06/23/2015
LISA MODICA (NOT EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to LOIS FRANKEL FOR CONGRESS (FRANKEL, LOIS J.) on 06/23/2015
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to LOIS FRANKEL FOR CONGRESS (FRANKEL, LOIS J.) on 06/23/2015
LISA MODICA (NOT EMPLOYED/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to LOIS FRANKEL FOR CONGRESS (FRANKEL, LOIS J.) on 06/23/2015
CHARLES R. MODICA (N/A/RETIRED), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to O'MALLEY FOR PRESIDENT (O'MALLEY, MARTIN JOSEPH) on 05/26/2015
CHARLES R. JR. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $10000 to DCCC on 02/18/2015
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to DR. RAUL RUIZ FOR CONGRESS (RUIZ, RAUL DR.) on 09/29/2015
LISA MODICA (N/A/HOMEMAKER), (Zip code: 33455) $2700 to DR. RAUL RUIZ FOR CONGRESS (RUIZ, RAUL DR.) on 09/29/2015
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to CAIN FOR CONGRESS (CAIN, EMILY) on 09/30/2016
CHARLES R MODICA SR (ST GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to DARREN SOTO FOR CONGRESS (SOTO, DARREN) on 09/27/2016
CHARLES R. DR. MODICA (ST. GOERGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $10000 to RUIZ VICTORY FUND (RUIZ, RAUL DR.) on 10/12/2016
CHARLES R. JD MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to STEPHANIE MURPHY FOR CONGRESS (MURPHY, STEPHANIE) on 09/27/2016
CHARLES R MODICA (ST. GEORGE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT GRANADA/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to CHARLIE CRIST FOR CONGRESS (CRIST, CHARLIE JOSEPH) on 09/30/2016
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to COLLEEN DEACON FOR CONGRESS (DEACON, COLLEEN) on 09/27/2016
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVESITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to ROSEN FOR NEVADA (ROSEN, JACKY) on 09/27/2016
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to JOE GARCIA FOR CONGRESS (GARCIA, JOE) on 09/30/2016
CHARLES MODICA (ST GEORGE UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to SCHNEIDER FOR CONGRESS (SCHNEIDER, BRADLEY SCOTT) on 09/30/2016
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to VAL DEMINGS FOR CONGRESS (DEMINGS, VALDEZ 'VAL') on 09/27/2016
CHARLES R. MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to TEXANS FOR PETE (GALLEGO, PETE) on 09/27/2016
CHARLES MODICA (ST. GEORGE'S UNIVERSITY/CHANCELLOR), (Zip code: 33455) $2000 to CAIN FOR CONGRESS (CAIN, EMILY) on 09/30/2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[MORE TO COME...] - Seeking contributing authors to this story. Please provide any information that you might have here: contribute information.