SEVEN BRIDGES DELRAY: Federal Judge Permits Tannenholz To
Avoid Deposition, For Now
Article Courtesy of Boca
News Now
By Andrew Colton
Published November 18, 2020
DELRAY BEACH — The federal judge overseeing the soap-opera-like lawsuit that
pits Seven Bridges Homeowner against Seven Bridges Homeowner against the Seven
Bridges HOA has agreed to temporarily let one of the accused “mean girls” avoid
a deposition.
U.S. District Judge
Donald Middlebanks just ruled that Rachel Tannenholz can
avoid a deposition while he decides whether she should
remain a party to the suit. Tannenholz is accused of
harassing homeowner Deborah LaGrasso online and in person,
allegedly telling her that she shouldn’t live in Seven
Bridges because she’s not Jewish.
Tannenholz claims that LaGrasso was also mean, calling her a
stripper.
The Seven Bridges HOA allegedly did nothing to calm the
conflict, leading to a federal lawsuit. LaGrasso seeks in
excess of $7M — possibly $1M for each bridge.
It all started with a dispute on the tennis courts. From an
earlier report which includes a bit of snark at no
additional charge:
Seven Bridges is a gated community in West Delray Beach. It’s not a country
club but sometimes thinks that it is. Many of its residents are seen driving
golf carts, although there are no golf cart paths, let a lone an actual golf
course. It’s unclear to where these homeowners are driving their golf carts,
or why.
Seven Bridges does have a high profile tennis program. Homeowner Deborah
LaGrasso claims that her kids were told they couldn’t use the tennis courts
by the grownup version of “mean girls.” When LaGrasso went to investigate,
she allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with one or some of the
“mean girls.” She was later fined by the HOA and banned from using HOA
amenities for a year. Angry, she allegedly posted mean things on Facebook
which upset not just the “mean girls” but others who don’t believe the first
amendment covers an HOA member posting bad things about an HOA. One of those
people is Rachel Tannenholz, another homeowner, who allegedly told LaGrasso
that she should move out because she’s not Jewish. LaGrasso claims — and has
submitted to the court — documentation suggesting that harassment continued
for quite some time. When LaGrasso complained to the HOA, LaGrasso claims
that the HOA did nothing. That’s the federal part of the suit. LaGrasso
claims Tannenholz harassed her and, knowing about it, the Seven Bridges HOA
took no action, violating federal housing laws.
LaGrasso claims Tannenholz wrote: “You moved in somewhere which is 80
percent Jewish and you do not belong here… If I was hated as much as you I
would move out… Move the f—k out, it’s over for you.”
Tannenholz claims LaGrasso wrote: “Seven Bridges community stripper wants us
to move out according to her last post. OH MY those platform shoes are
horrendous…must be so hard to type and dance on the pole at the same time.”
Tannenholz’s attorney, Deborah Klingsberg, filed the document below which
Judge Middlebanks partially agreed with. Middlebanks, however, wrote that he
could change his mind and compel Tannenholz to appear once he decides
whether or not she should be removed from the suit. If Judge Middlebanks
removes Tannenholz from the suit, the Seven Bridges HOA would potentially be
responsible for any judgment or settlement resulting from Tannenholz’s
alleged actions.
Not keeping a low profile, Tannenholz herself has now taken to social media
to criticize the restaurant at Seven Bridges as well as other homeowners.
BocaNewsNow.com has reviewed the posts and messages but will not publish
them due to their tone and potentially slanderous content. It was not clear
if Tannenholz could face a lawsuit from other homeowners.
Meantime, Tannenholz filed her own libel/slander suit against Deborah
LaGrasso. The suit was filed in July but was just served on November 2nd.