Board member of Lauderdale co-op reports harassment, threats

Police say they're keeping an eye on the situation

Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel 

By Sofia Santana

Published January 14, 201

Condo and co-op board issues can often be difficult and controversial, but police are investigating whether someone at a beachside building took their disagreement too far.

Gilbert Anko, 72, sits as treasurer of the Coral Ridge Towers East Board of Directors and says that for the past couple of weeks, he's received harassing phone calls and threats.

In one incident, he says someone reported to security that Anko's car lights were on. When Anko's roommate, Michael McGonigle, 61, went downstairs to the parking lot, he was confronted by two men who told him to step down from the co-op board, Anko said.

When McGonigle told the men that it was his roommate who was on the board, McGonigle said the men told him: "Well, you better tell your roommate to get off the board."

Anko and McGonigle immediately reported the Jan. 29 incident to police, and the next morning, Anko called police again when he said he found that someone slashed a valve on one of his tires.

"I never expected this," Anko said. "It's more disappointing than anything else."

Anko, like other board members, volunteered for the job to help to oversee property issues regarding the building, which sits along A1A near Oakland Park Boulevard and houses more than 330 apartments. Residents have to be 55 or older.

Several controversial topics have come before the board recently, but Anko said he wasn't sure which issue he is being targeted over.

He mentioned to investigators that another board member had been suspended recently, according to a police report.

Police are keeping an eye on the situation, and the reports will be reviewed by a detective, said police spokesman Sgt. Frank Sousa.

In the meantime, officers have told Anko to keep his windows and doors locked.

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