Police: Woman Tapes Condo Board Member Vandalizing Home

Woman Says Home Vandalized After She Asked For Condo Board's Records

 

Article Courtesy of nbc6.net

Posted 03 - 04 - 2004

 

A condominium owner in Coconut Grove set up a surveillance camera to catch a vandal, who she says is a member of her condo board, damaging her home.

Jallele Praschnik has accused South Grove Plaza condo board member John Losada, 59, of vandalizing her home and car and stalking her.
There was evidence of vandalism at Praschnik's apartment, and police said it is all because of a condo dispute.

"I did not have a window. They broke it five times, so I went months without a window," Praschnik said.

In addition to her broken window and other vandalism apparent on her car, Praschnik's surveillance tape shows condo board members inflicting even more damage on her home.

 

The video shows a man police identified as Losada breaking a screen and tossing a liquid into the kitchen that Praschnik said 

was foul smelling.

"I did not have a window. They broke it five times, so I went months without a window," Praschnik said.

 

Another video shows Losada looking into the apartment and eavesdropping, police said. On another occasion, a video shows the man ripping out the screen, which police charge is a form of stalking.

 

"I started suspecting, you know, like (they were) doing stuff with our money that should not be done," the victim said. "As soon as I asked for the records, that's the day they started the vandalism."

 

Paul McKenna, Losada's lawyer, said there are two sides of the story. McKenna said that Praschnik runs a sewing sweatshop out of her apartment, has installed illegal screens on her windows and makes lewd remarks about Losada's sexual preference.

 

Police said Losada's actions boil down to stalking and criminal mischief.

 

Losada faces at least one felony charge and possibly a year in jail. His court date is set for March 15.

"In 17 years on the job, I have not seen this type of allegation before. There is a long history here," Sgt. Jim Sayih, of the Miami police, said.

 

NBC 6 attempted to talk to Losada but another man answered his door and gave no comment.

 

State Rep. Julio Robaina applauds the arrest. Robaina has been a longtime critic of overzealous condo boards.

 

"There is a lot of power on those boards, especially to wheel and deal contracts and make money under the table," Robaina said.

 

Praschnick said she suspected that the condo board had misused money in some way, but no other resident has stood to protest.

 

"Nobody dares. Everybody is afraid of the guy. Nobody dares, except you, except me," Praschnick said.

 

McKenna said his client is not guilty and said he welcomes his day in court, set for March 15. Losada faces at least one felony charge and possibly a year in jail.

 

Condominium ombudsman Virgil Rizzo said he receives about 300 calls and e-mails per week about condo complaints.

 

Representatives from the Department of Business and Professional Regulations said it has received about 400 complaints since December.

CONDO ARTICLES HOME NEWS PAGE