Category Archives: HOA Corruption and Abuse of Power

Why won’t Libertarian advocacy groups speak out against HOA abuse?

Posted on by
scales-of-justice-court-legal

An Opinion By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last month, IAC published a post comparing cities and HOAs that rely heavily on fining their residents to generate cash for their communities. Today’s post follows up with an important question. Why do Libertarian-leaning think tanks express contempt and outrage about local government’s Eighth Amendment violations against its residents, yet completely ignore the same behavior committed by HOAs against its residents?   City fines homeowner $30K, files Continue ReadingWhy won’t Libertarian advocacy groups speak out against HOA abuse?→

HOA news updates — security cameras and sinkholes

Posted on by
News Update chalkboard clock

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities June 2019 — Former HOA private security guard sentenced to 30 years for murder in shooting incident. Crews stabilize an landslide and work on temporary fix for massive sinkhole threatening a condo building. Homeowners and civil rights groups speak out against License Plate Reader cameras monitoring HOA gates. Former HOA private security guard sentenced to 30 years in prison on murder charges (VA) Two years ago, a former Citywide Continue ReadingHOA news updates — security cameras and sinkholes→

HOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud round up (June 2019)

Posted on by
Arrest handcuff fraud theft

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com This month’s roundup. Ex-treasurer gets one year to repay condo association. Law enforcement finally catches up with rental agent who allegedly cheated condo owners and vacationers. Police arrest former board member for alleged theft of almost $100,000.   Judge cuts former condo treasurer a break in plea deal When nearly $11,000 went missing from the condo association’s bank account, Stillwater Condominium Association filed criminal charges against their former Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud round up (June 2019)→

Like city government, HOAs impose abusive fines and fees

Posted on by
We the people Constitution

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Housing consumer advocates have spent the past several years exposing abusive fines and fees imposed by homeowners, condominium, and cooperative associations. Unfortunately, most advocacy groups ignore HOA abuse, even though it closely mirrors the behavior of some oppressive local government leaders. Local governments have long had the authority to impose fines for violations of health and safety codes. But recent trends reveal that city and county leaders are enacting Continue ReadingLike city government, HOAs impose abusive fines and fees→