Husband and wife who were top real estate brokers fired for scattering DEAD ANIMALS on rival luxury property | Mail Online
"A couple, who are both realtors, have been accused of leaving dead snakes and mice on their neighbor's drive in an attempt to disrupt their house sale. Security camera footage also allegedly shows Jonathan and Andrea Straub, whose house was also on the market, knocking over For Sale signs and cutting branches from trees, Philly.com reports. Mrs Straub, 34, has since been fired from her job selling multi-million dollar homes through Prudential Fox & Roach, after the dispute with her neighbor in Pennsylvania's Lower Merion."
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It's a tough real estate market out there...
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Police: HOA official pointed gun at woman for breaking rules | News 13
Police: HOA official pointed gun at woman for breaking rules | News 13
"ORLANDO -- An official for an apartment complex's Homeowners Association is accused of taking his duties a little too seriously -- pointing a gun at a woman whom he said was breaking complex rules. Orlando Police said a woman was sitting on a pier at The Hamptons at Metrowest Thursday night when Howard Fox, 47, walked up and told her to leave the pier because it was after hours. The woman said Fox had a gun against his chest, which she claimed he raised and pointed at her. She said Fox said what she was doing was illegal. The woman said she was afraid for her life and called 911. Police said Fox told them that he was chairman of the Fine and Hearing Violations Committee, which gave him permission to walk the property to enforce HOA rules. Police said Fox was armed with a Smith and Wesson Sigma .9 cal in an open carry holster on his belt, and a Glock .40 cal with a Roni Short Barrel Rifle attached on a sling around his shoulder."
-----------------------
Having learned nothing from the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin catastrophe, another HOA vigilante goes off the rails, displaying a fundmental misunderstanding of his role. Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for the link.
"ORLANDO -- An official for an apartment complex's Homeowners Association is accused of taking his duties a little too seriously -- pointing a gun at a woman whom he said was breaking complex rules. Orlando Police said a woman was sitting on a pier at The Hamptons at Metrowest Thursday night when Howard Fox, 47, walked up and told her to leave the pier because it was after hours. The woman said Fox had a gun against his chest, which she claimed he raised and pointed at her. She said Fox said what she was doing was illegal. The woman said she was afraid for her life and called 911. Police said Fox told them that he was chairman of the Fine and Hearing Violations Committee, which gave him permission to walk the property to enforce HOA rules. Police said Fox was armed with a Smith and Wesson Sigma .9 cal in an open carry holster on his belt, and a Glock .40 cal with a Roni Short Barrel Rifle attached on a sling around his shoulder."
-----------------------
Having learned nothing from the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin catastrophe, another HOA vigilante goes off the rails, displaying a fundmental misunderstanding of his role. Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for the link.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Arizona homeowners losing their homes to foreclosure through forged documents
Arizona homeowners losing their homes to foreclosure through forged documents: Beth Findsen is another one of the small handful of lawyers fighting for families victimized by illegal foreclosures.
She said, “Public records are a disaster area."
And she warned that the fraud she has seen could have ramifications for years to come.
McCauley added, “It throws everybody’s chain of title into question now. We don’t know who owns what.”
Gabriella Westfall is living through the legal nightmare the attorneys describe.
She says six different banks have appeared in court and in filings to claim they own her house.
“I don’t know who I am supposed to pay my mortgage to,” she explains, “because we don’t know who owns the mortgage”.
---------------
Quite a fine mess when the identity of the mortgagee is no longer legally clear.
She said, “Public records are a disaster area."
And she warned that the fraud she has seen could have ramifications for years to come.
McCauley added, “It throws everybody’s chain of title into question now. We don’t know who owns what.”
Gabriella Westfall is living through the legal nightmare the attorneys describe.
She says six different banks have appeared in court and in filings to claim they own her house.
“I don’t know who I am supposed to pay my mortgage to,” she explains, “because we don’t know who owns the mortgage”.
---------------
Quite a fine mess when the identity of the mortgagee is no longer legally clear.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Miami Beach seller says Aqua condo board targeting his luxury unit - Business - MiamiHerald.com
Miami Beach seller says Aqua condo board targeting his luxury unit - Business - MiamiHerald.com
Generally when you read about a conflict over a board stopping sale of a unit, it is a housing cooperative. This one is a condominium:
Generally when you read about a conflict over a board stopping sale of a unit, it is a housing cooperative. This one is a condominium:
"At issue: whether a condo association has the right to stop a short sale and try to buy the unit itself."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Former Bank of America workers allege it lied to home owners | Reuters
Former Bank of America workers allege it lied to home owners | Reuters
The headline doesn't tell half the story. The more you read, the worse it gets:
"(Reuters) - Six former Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) employees have alleged that the bank deliberately denied eligible home owners loan modifications and lied to them about the status of their mortgage payments and documents. The bank allegedly used these tactics to shepherd homeowners into foreclosure, as well as in-house loan modifications. Both yielded the bank more profits than the government-sponsored Home Affordable Modification Program, according to documents recently filed as part of a lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. The former employees, who worked at Bank of America centers throughout the United States, said the bank rewarded customer service representatives who foreclosed on homes with cash bonuses and gift cards to retail stores such as Target Corp (TGT.N) and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY.O). For example, an employee who placed 10 or more accounts into foreclosure a month could get a $500 bonus. At the same time, the bank punished those who did not make the numbers or objected to its tactics with discipline, including firing."
The headline doesn't tell half the story. The more you read, the worse it gets:
"(Reuters) - Six former Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) employees have alleged that the bank deliberately denied eligible home owners loan modifications and lied to them about the status of their mortgage payments and documents. The bank allegedly used these tactics to shepherd homeowners into foreclosure, as well as in-house loan modifications. Both yielded the bank more profits than the government-sponsored Home Affordable Modification Program, according to documents recently filed as part of a lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court. The former employees, who worked at Bank of America centers throughout the United States, said the bank rewarded customer service representatives who foreclosed on homes with cash bonuses and gift cards to retail stores such as Target Corp (TGT.N) and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY.O). For example, an employee who placed 10 or more accounts into foreclosure a month could get a $500 bonus. At the same time, the bank punished those who did not make the numbers or objected to its tactics with discipline, including firing."
Florida Homeowner's Association Sues Resident For Critical Blog Comments, Seeks Identity Of Other Commenters | Techdirt
Florida Homeowner's Association Sues Resident For Critical Blog Comments, Seeks Identity Of Other Commenters | Techdirt
Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for the link to this blog post:
"A few months back, we wrote about an HOA president in Indiana going ballistic with bogus legal threats towards pretty much anyone who criticized him. And now, here's a story out of Naples, Florida, where an HOA for "Fiddler's Creek" is using homeowners' fees to sue one of their own homeowners, a resident named James Schutt, because he made some comments the HOA board members don't like on a blog about the community."
Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for the link to this blog post:
"A few months back, we wrote about an HOA president in Indiana going ballistic with bogus legal threats towards pretty much anyone who criticized him. And now, here's a story out of Naples, Florida, where an HOA for "Fiddler's Creek" is using homeowners' fees to sue one of their own homeowners, a resident named James Schutt, because he made some comments the HOA board members don't like on a blog about the community."
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Connecticut Condo Owners Coalition | Wix.com
Connecticut Condo Owners Coalition | Wix.com
This group has been trying to get an ombudsman's office established in Connecticut, so far without success.
And here is what appears to be a press release explaining their plans for the near future.
This group has been trying to get an ombudsman's office established in Connecticut, so far without success.
And here is what appears to be a press release explaining their plans for the near future.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Residents sue to maintain road - City & Region - The Buffalo News
Residents sue to maintain road - City & Region - The Buffalo News: SILVER CREEK – Residents on a stretch of Stewart Avenue in Hanford Bay are going to court to force the Town of Hanover to maintain that section of the road.
Robert Whalen, one of the residents, said the town has maintained the roadway for more than 50 years, and he and 10 other residents are asking that the town continue the practice. Whalen said the group of residents filed a suit against the town, a case that will be heard July1 in State Supreme Court.
-------------
Another dispute over who pays for costly road infrastructure maintenance: the local government via property taxes or the HOA via HOA assessments. Either way, the property owners are going to pay since they fund both sources.
Robert Whalen, one of the residents, said the town has maintained the roadway for more than 50 years, and he and 10 other residents are asking that the town continue the practice. Whalen said the group of residents filed a suit against the town, a case that will be heard July1 in State Supreme Court.
-------------
Another dispute over who pays for costly road infrastructure maintenance: the local government via property taxes or the HOA via HOA assessments. Either way, the property owners are going to pay since they fund both sources.
8 on Your Side: Residents Upset About Faulty Gate - 8 News NOW
8 on Your Side: Residents Upset About Faulty Gate - 8 News NOW: "You keep hitting the button, and you think, ‘Did I forget my code?'" she said. "You finally just sit there and say, ‘Well, let's try this again,' and after several attempts, it finally worked."
Despite numerous complaints by her and other residents to their homeowners association, the gate was never fixed.
"He told me they needed a new box, and no one wants to fork out the money for the box," she said.
Frustrated, Kudo contacted 8 on Your Side.
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Your HOA assessment dollars (not) at work. When the citizens of Privatopia don't get help from their HOA, they turn to TV news call for action lines.
Despite numerous complaints by her and other residents to their homeowners association, the gate was never fixed.
"He told me they needed a new box, and no one wants to fork out the money for the box," she said.
Frustrated, Kudo contacted 8 on Your Side.
--------------
Your HOA assessment dollars (not) at work. When the citizens of Privatopia don't get help from their HOA, they turn to TV news call for action lines.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Mesa HOA out of control? Homeowners accuse board of misspending funds
Mesa HOA out of control? Homeowners accuse board of misspending funds
And when they starting asking questions about this, they discovered some interesting expenditures:
“I mean, they bought laundry detergent and almonds and vodka and baby wipes and, just about every time, they bought air fresheners!” Daurio said.
All of these purchases were reimbursed – with HOA money – to board President Michael Cassady. And Daurio said she could find none of these items were used by the HOA for the benefit of the condominiums.
“We found out that the president turned in receipts for items that he purchased in New Jersey!” Daurio said.
That’s not to mention the restaurant receipts.
Daurio and her fellow homeowners listed out the restaurant expenses. “Old Chicago’s for $79, P.F. Chang’s for $100, On the Border, $85, O’Sullivan’s, $73, Old Chicago’s $116,” she read from the list.
Records obtained by the homeowners show Cassady was reimbursed for these and other meals with HOA funds and listed many meals as “HOA meetings” on invoices.
“One of the biggest things was we saw $640 to the Salt Cellar for the annual meeting, and there’s three board members,” Daurio said.
One receipt Daurio found even included $121 for alcohol.
And when they starting asking questions about this, they discovered some interesting expenditures:
“I mean, they bought laundry detergent and almonds and vodka and baby wipes and, just about every time, they bought air fresheners!” Daurio said.
All of these purchases were reimbursed – with HOA money – to board President Michael Cassady. And Daurio said she could find none of these items were used by the HOA for the benefit of the condominiums.
“We found out that the president turned in receipts for items that he purchased in New Jersey!” Daurio said.
That’s not to mention the restaurant receipts.
Daurio and her fellow homeowners listed out the restaurant expenses. “Old Chicago’s for $79, P.F. Chang’s for $100, On the Border, $85, O’Sullivan’s, $73, Old Chicago’s $116,” she read from the list.
Records obtained by the homeowners show Cassady was reimbursed for these and other meals with HOA funds and listed many meals as “HOA meetings” on invoices.
“One of the biggest things was we saw $640 to the Salt Cellar for the annual meeting, and there’s three board members,” Daurio said.
One receipt Daurio found even included $121 for alcohol.
No CID mandate provision passes
Behold Arizona HB2518:
"The legislation prohibits cities and counties from requiring home builders to establish “planned communities'' as a condition of getting the requisite permits and zoning for a new development. Instead, that would be an option decided solely by the developer."
"The legislation prohibits cities and counties from requiring home builders to establish “planned communities'' as a condition of getting the requisite permits and zoning for a new development. Instead, that would be an option decided solely by the developer."
Nancy Marquez: Condo president gambles away community's money, police say - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Nancy Marquez: Condo president gambles away community's money, police say - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
"Luck finally ran out for a Pembroke Pines condo association president accused of gambling away the community's maintenance money at a casino. Nancy Marquez, 58, was arrested on charges she stole $148,012 from the French Villas condominium association, Pembroke Pines police said."
-----------
The isolated instances are piling up around here. Is there any need for more oversight of condo/HOA finances? Not in the eyes of the industry, it seems. Or should we just paraphrase the last line of the movie Chinatown? "Forget it, Jake. It's Florida."
"Luck finally ran out for a Pembroke Pines condo association president accused of gambling away the community's maintenance money at a casino. Nancy Marquez, 58, was arrested on charges she stole $148,012 from the French Villas condominium association, Pembroke Pines police said."
-----------
The isolated instances are piling up around here. Is there any need for more oversight of condo/HOA finances? Not in the eyes of the industry, it seems. Or should we just paraphrase the last line of the movie Chinatown? "Forget it, Jake. It's Florida."
Town mails discarded dog poop back to errant pet owners | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News
Town mails discarded dog poop back to errant pet owners | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News: Well, a small town in Spain, reports the Telegraph, has decided to remedy the situation by mailing the discarded dog excrement back to the offending owners.
The paper reports that the town council of Brunete, located about 20 miles from Madrid, has undertaken a complex effort to crack down on the disrespectful dog owners. Twenty volunteers have been enlisted to approach dog owners who leave their pet’s poop behind, and to strike up a conversation with the goal of finding out the name of the dog.
"With the name of the dog and the breed it was possible to identify the owner from the registered pet database held in the town hall," a spokesman from the council told the Telegraph.
Once the owner’s address was confirmed, the dog poop is scooped up, placed in a box containing the town hall’s insignia and delivered via courier to the owner’s home. And to top it all off, the box is labeled, “Lost Property.”
--------------
Will HOAs create pet registries in order to replicate this amusing solution to a smelly problem?
The paper reports that the town council of Brunete, located about 20 miles from Madrid, has undertaken a complex effort to crack down on the disrespectful dog owners. Twenty volunteers have been enlisted to approach dog owners who leave their pet’s poop behind, and to strike up a conversation with the goal of finding out the name of the dog.
"With the name of the dog and the breed it was possible to identify the owner from the registered pet database held in the town hall," a spokesman from the council told the Telegraph.
Once the owner’s address was confirmed, the dog poop is scooped up, placed in a box containing the town hall’s insignia and delivered via courier to the owner’s home. And to top it all off, the box is labeled, “Lost Property.”
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Will HOAs create pet registries in order to replicate this amusing solution to a smelly problem?
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Mesa HOA out of control? Homeowners accuse board of misspending funds
Mesa HOA out of control? Homeowners accuse board of misspending funds: MESA, AZ - A routine Homeowner’s Association meeting at Superstition Lakes Condominiums in Mesa turned ugly recently.
One of the homeowners, Kathleen Daurio, said her phone was hit out of her hand and her face was brushed with papers by another homeowner just after the meeting.
“I was frightened,” she said. “They had kept my husband out of the meeting and I had no idea what was going to come next.”
------------
Trouble in Privatopia -- film at ABC Channel 15 Taking Action.
Some years ago, there was a civil case wherein someone brushed with papers at an HOA meeting alleged it amounted to assault and battery. Seriously. Keep those papers to yourself.
One of the homeowners, Kathleen Daurio, said her phone was hit out of her hand and her face was brushed with papers by another homeowner just after the meeting.
“I was frightened,” she said. “They had kept my husband out of the meeting and I had no idea what was going to come next.”
------------
Trouble in Privatopia -- film at ABC Channel 15 Taking Action.
Some years ago, there was a civil case wherein someone brushed with papers at an HOA meeting alleged it amounted to assault and battery. Seriously. Keep those papers to yourself.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
HOA Documents: Are They Worth the Money? | Fox Business
HOA Documents: Are They Worth the Money? | Fox Business: Reviewing all those documents takes significant time, energy and effort. You probably should get your lawyer and accountant involved in this review, too. Critical information can be found in the pages, and if you don’t review them, you may miss an issue that will cause you significant financial pain down the road.
In fact, many smart buyers won’t even consider properties in HOA-governed communities.
So before you spend money on the documents, ask yourself: Am I willing to put in the time necessary for due diligence?
-------------
For most homebuyers, probably not. Homebuyers concentrate on (and fall in love with) the home's feel and features and aren't inclined to want to deal with another layer of legalities.
In fact, many smart buyers won’t even consider properties in HOA-governed communities.
So before you spend money on the documents, ask yourself: Am I willing to put in the time necessary for due diligence?
-------------
For most homebuyers, probably not. Homebuyers concentrate on (and fall in love with) the home's feel and features and aren't inclined to want to deal with another layer of legalities.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Report: Bieber’s Neighbors Withhold Dues in Protest | KTLA 5
Report: Bieber’s Neighbors Withhold Dues in Protest | KTLA 5: CALABASAS, Calif. (KTLA) — Pop star Justin Bieber’s Calabasas neighbors were reportedly fed up with his behavior and were banding together to do something about it.
A group of residents in Bieber’s gated community, “The Oaks,” planned to withhold their monthly homeowners association dues until something was done, according to TMZ.
------------
Then when the protesters' homes are foreclosed by the HOA, Bieber will buy the properties and get more voting power in the HOA.
A group of residents in Bieber’s gated community, “The Oaks,” planned to withhold their monthly homeowners association dues until something was done, according to TMZ.
------------
Then when the protesters' homes are foreclosed by the HOA, Bieber will buy the properties and get more voting power in the HOA.
Sunday, June 02, 2013
State bill aims to resolve confusion over unaccepted roads - Brookline, Massachusetts - Brookline TAB
State bill aims to resolve confusion over unaccepted roads - Brookline, Massachusetts - Brookline TAB: Turner said many private developments include agreements, or covenants, by which residents agree to abide when they buy homes. These agreements often require fees for maintenance of private streets, he said, but many covenants expire after 30 years – and along with them, the responsibility to pay road fees.
Turner said his bill would spell out that responsibility to pay for maintenance remains with property owners as long as a road remains private, regardless of a covenant’s expiration.
This would put down in law a precedent from a Massachusetts Appeals Court ruling in a 2003 case in Sandwich, Samuel v. Scorton Shores Association, Turner said. The lawmaker, who represented the homeowners association in the case, said the court found the requirement to maintain a private road lies with the landowner.
In cases where there was no covenant, Turner’s bill lays out a process by which property owners could set up an association to collect fees to maintain the road.
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This is public policy favoring the privatization of local government in formation. You benefit from the road, you pay for its upkeep with a non tax deductible fee on top of your property tax bill.
From the Maryland Homeowners' Association comes some good news. I testified before the Judicial Proceedings Committee of the Maryland State Senate in support of the attorney fee limitations and it is refreshing to see a legislature taking a serious interest in protecting home owners.
BILL TO LIMIT ATTORNEY FEES AND FORECLOSURES in Maryland BECOMES LAW on October 1, 2013
A new bill limiting foreclosures and attorney fees passed the Senate 46-0 (SB 161) and the House 134-4 (HB 286) and has been signed by the Governor. The law will be effective October 1, 2013.
Basically, HB 286 and SB 161 are identical consumer protection bills whose purpose is to:
1. Stop the financial abuse of Maryland HOA and condo owners when attorneys advise boards to run up legal fees over trivial matters and then pass those fees onto targeted HOA and condo owners.
2. Prohibit foreclosure on any property based merely on fines and/or legal fees.
The new law is a partial response to recent association scandals, such as a Maryland condominium association that ran up attorney fees of $200,000 to fight a condo owner's lawsuit involving $225 or the homeowner who was asked to pay $50,000 in attorney fees and fines for not getting proper approval for a new driveway that others in the community already had in place.
MHA thanks and applauds Senator Anthony Muse, district 26, Prince Georges County for his work in chairing the Conference Committee and for co-sponsoring SB 161 and Senator Delores Kelley, District 10, Baltimore County, for sponsoring SB 161.
According to this new law, only "reasonable costs and attorney's fees directly related to the filing of the lien and not exceeding the amount of the delinquent assessments may be the subject of a lien.” For example, if $1000 of assessments is owed, the lien can only ask for $1000 in reasonable legal fees. Other HOA/Condo stipulations of collecting money owed would still be available to a governing body.
MHA’s thanks also go to Delegates Doyle L. Niemann, District 47, Prince Georges County; Pamela Beidle, District 32, Anne Arundel County; Cheryl D. Glenn, District 45 and Stephen W. Lafferty, District 42, Baltimore County, for sponsoring HB 286.
BILL TO LIMIT ATTORNEY FEES AND FORECLOSURES in Maryland BECOMES LAW on October 1, 2013
A new bill limiting foreclosures and attorney fees passed the Senate 46-0 (SB 161) and the House 134-4 (HB 286) and has been signed by the Governor. The law will be effective October 1, 2013.
Basically, HB 286 and SB 161 are identical consumer protection bills whose purpose is to:
1. Stop the financial abuse of Maryland HOA and condo owners when attorneys advise boards to run up legal fees over trivial matters and then pass those fees onto targeted HOA and condo owners.
2. Prohibit foreclosure on any property based merely on fines and/or legal fees.
The new law is a partial response to recent association scandals, such as a Maryland condominium association that ran up attorney fees of $200,000 to fight a condo owner's lawsuit involving $225 or the homeowner who was asked to pay $50,000 in attorney fees and fines for not getting proper approval for a new driveway that others in the community already had in place.
MHA thanks and applauds Senator Anthony Muse, district 26, Prince Georges County for his work in chairing the Conference Committee and for co-sponsoring SB 161 and Senator Delores Kelley, District 10, Baltimore County, for sponsoring SB 161.
According to this new law, only "reasonable costs and attorney's fees directly related to the filing of the lien and not exceeding the amount of the delinquent assessments may be the subject of a lien.” For example, if $1000 of assessments is owed, the lien can only ask for $1000 in reasonable legal fees. Other HOA/Condo stipulations of collecting money owed would still be available to a governing body.
MHA’s thanks also go to Delegates Doyle L. Niemann, District 47, Prince Georges County; Pamela Beidle, District 32, Anne Arundel County; Cheryl D. Glenn, District 45 and Stephen W. Lafferty, District 42, Baltimore County, for sponsoring HB 286.
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Port Orange man shot into homes after disagreement with HOA, police say | News-JournalOnline.com
Port Orange man shot into homes after disagreement with HOA, police say | News-JournalOnline.com: Investigators learned a disagreement with the homeowners association prompted Lovejoy to shoot into two homes, one on April 17 and another May 19, police said.
Lovejoy was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of shooting into a building, police said. He is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail with bail set at $30,000.
Lovejoy was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of shooting into a building, police said. He is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail with bail set at $30,000.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Barna Pleads Guilty
https://www.calhomelaw.org/PDF/Barna Pleads Guilty May 30_13.pdf
From Marjorie Murray at the Center for California Homeowner Association Law comes yet another isolated instance of massive embezzlement in the community association industry:
"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chris Barna, 35, of Manteca, pleaded guilty today to one count of
bank fraud for his role in embezzling more than $950,000 from his employer M & C Association
Management Services Inc., United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant
United States Attorneys S. Robert Tice-Raskin and Kevin Khasigian are prosecuting the case.
According to court documents, Barna was the controller for M & C, a company that provides
community association management and developer services to numerous community
associations in in Northern California. From April 2007 through May 2011, Barna
misappropriated approximately 300 checks payable to M & C from third parties, 40 checks
payable to third parties from M & C as well as two checks payable to the parent company of
M & C. Barna forged the endorsements on the checks or wrote “deposit only.” He had the checks
deposited into various bank accounts he controlled at Wells Fargo Bank. Barna then manipulated
financial accounting records at M & C as part of an effort to conceal the fraud."
From Marjorie Murray at the Center for California Homeowner Association Law comes yet another isolated instance of massive embezzlement in the community association industry:
"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chris Barna, 35, of Manteca, pleaded guilty today to one count of
bank fraud for his role in embezzling more than $950,000 from his employer M & C Association
Management Services Inc., United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant
United States Attorneys S. Robert Tice-Raskin and Kevin Khasigian are prosecuting the case.
According to court documents, Barna was the controller for M & C, a company that provides
community association management and developer services to numerous community
associations in in Northern California. From April 2007 through May 2011, Barna
misappropriated approximately 300 checks payable to M & C from third parties, 40 checks
payable to third parties from M & C as well as two checks payable to the parent company of
M & C. Barna forged the endorsements on the checks or wrote “deposit only.” He had the checks
deposited into various bank accounts he controlled at Wells Fargo Bank. Barna then manipulated
financial accounting records at M & C as part of an effort to conceal the fraud."
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