Tag Archives: South Carolina

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

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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)→

HOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (May 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: An affordable housing bribery scheme; Condo election ballot fraud; one community association manager sentenced and another under investigation for massive fraud and embezzlement involving dozens of condo HOAs. Bribes for affordable co-op apartments (NY) New York District Attorney Eric Gonzalez recently indicted three women in an alleged affordable housing fraud scheme. Two co-op board members of Luna Park and office manager of Metro Management are accused of Continue ReadingHOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (May 2019)→

SC DCA collects HOA Complaints, but cannot prevent lawsuits

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Gavel HOA lawsuit

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   As of last year, South Carolina became one of a few states that collects housing consumer complaints involving homeowners’ associations (HOAs). The state’s Department of Consumer Affairs recently issued its 2019 report, summarizing 92 HOA complaints filed between June 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. By contrast, the DCA received 167 HOA complaints between January 1, 2014 – May 31, 2018. The sharp increase in complaints coincides with Continue ReadingSC DCA collects HOA Complaints, but cannot prevent lawsuits→

HOA, condo & co-op Case Law and Litigation highlights (March 2019)

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Case law books court legal appeal

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: Important SCOTUS ruling on FDCPA; Due process in HOAs; Business Judgment Rule not absolute protection for co-op board; FL condo association can revive its expired covenants   U.S. Supreme Court decision: a law firm that engages in nonjudicial foreclosure is not a debt collector In the case cited below, the SCOTUS ruled that a homeowner cannot use the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act as a defense in Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op Case Law and Litigation highlights (March 2019)→