Article Courtesy of The
Boca News Now
By Staff Report
Published May 15, 2021
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DELRAY BEACH -- The $7M Federal Housing Discrimination lawsuit against the
Seven Bridges HOA is heading towards its second day of settlement talks on
Friday. While settlement conferences are routine in litigation, this is
notable for two reasons: previous settlement conferences have failed to
reach a resolution, and the parties spent 3 hours and 55 minutes meeting
with Federal Magistrate Dave Lee Brannon on Wednesday.
If settlement isn’t reached, the case is set for trial in early June.
Despite claims made repeatedly by previous members of the Seven Bridges
Board of Directors that the case would be thrown out on summary judgment,
U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks has not ruled on the summary
judgment motion made by Seven Bridges in January. Legal observers say it is
highly unlikely, although not impossible, that Judge Middlebrooks would have
had the case proceed through months of litigation time and expense if he
planned to throw it out.
The ongoing lawsuit stems from allegations made by Seven Bridges Homeowner
Deborah LaGrasso that several “tennis league” women verbally assaulted her
children while playing tennis on the community’s tennis courts.
LaGrasso was accused of physically attacking one of the women, although
there is apparently no video evidence that proves whether or not a physical
altercation took place. We published the video that does exist. The incident
led to sanctions against LaGrasso by the HOA. Several months later, after
LaGrasso is believed to have posted her opinions about the HOA on an
anonymous Facebook page, LaGrasso and Seven Bridges homeowner Rachel
Tannenholz allegedly made derogatory comments about the other on social
media. The HOA once again sanctioned LaGrasso, including for writing
anti-Semitic and derogatory comments online. When LaGrasso complained to the
HOA about Tannenholz, however, the Board of Directors did not sanction her.
Among the complaints allegedly ignored by the Board: LaGrasso’s claim that
Tannenholz told her to move to a community that isn’t primarily Jewish.
The sanctions imposed: $5,000 and a year long ban from using amenities in
the Seven Bridges community.
LaGrasso filed a federal lawsuit claiming religious discrimination by the
HOA and intentional infliction of emotional distress by Tannenholz. She
argued it’s unfair that she, as a non-Jew, was sanctioned while Tannenholz
was not. While the lawsuit continues against the Seven Bridges Homeowners
Association, Federal Judge Donald Middlebrooks said that Tannenholz is not a
proper party to the “Fair Housing Act” discrimination lawsuit. LaGrasso’s
claims against her were dismissed.
But the HOA still faces the $7M claim. Among the issues: the allegation that
no fining schedule existed before a board member crafted one in the process
of punishing LaGrasso.
BocaNewsNow.com has learned that if LaGrasso is successful in her claim
against the HOA, homeowners may file a lawsuit against the previous board of
directors. One former board member quit claimed — or transferred — their
home to their spouse in November, although that former board member told
BocaNewsNow.com that it has nothing to do with the ongoing litigation.
LaGrasso is represented locally by attorney Scott Weires, in addition to the
law firm of Chehardy, Sherman, Williams, Recile, Stakleum and Hayes which is
based in Louisiana. The firm is known for complex litigation matters.
The Seven Bridges HOA is represented by Vernis and Bowling in North Palm
Beach.
A $7M judgment — insurance coverage aside — would cost each of the 801
homes in Seven Bridges $8,749.07.
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