Article Courtesy of the Sun Sentinel

By Joe Kollin

Posted 03 - 02 - 2004

All condo owner Jallele Praschnik did was ask to look at her condo association's records, as allowed by state law.

As a result, she says, her screen was cut, pesticide was thrown into her apartment, and eggs were thrown at her car. In addition, someone would periodically stand outside her window, looking in and listening to her conversations.

After 15 months of such intimidation, she said, she borrowed surveillance equipment and taped a neighbor committing the alleged crimes.

Police last week arrested John Losada, 59, a leader of the condo association at the South Grove Plaza, at 2690 SW 22nd Ave. in Miami. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 15 to answer charges of criminal mischief and stalking.

He faces five years on the vandalism charge and one year on the stalking charge if convicted. He is free on $6,000 bail.

State Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, on Tuesday hailed the arrest as a victory for condo owners everywhere in the state.

"This will send shock waves throughout Florida," he said. "This sends a message to board members who use intimidation to stop owners from doing what they are allowed to do. It won't be the same old same old any more.''

After hearing what he called "horror stories" about the way boards treat owners, Robaina last year was responsible for several state laws designed to alleviate the problem. He plans to seek more reforms at the legislative session that begins Tuesday.

Praschnik, an owner in the 43-unit building for 15 years, said that in November 2003 she sent a certified letter requesting to see the association's books. She suspected irregularities in the handling of money by the officers who had been in control since the building opened 25 years ago.

Within a day, she said, eggs were thrown at her car. Other incidents followed. Her screen was torn with a knife or just removed, a liquid substance was thrown into her apartment and someone would stand at her window looking inside and listening, according to court records. Nine times, court records state, she saw the suspect drive by and throw eggs at her car.

Unable to get police to do anything, she said she borrowed surveillance equipment and, according to the police report, caught the suspect on video "as he was throwing the liquid through the [kitchen] window."

She said she also has video of him "putting his ear to my apartment and listening to my conversations."

Losada wouldn't discuss the charges. "We're going to court on that," he said.

But he maintains the dispute stems from Praschnik's dislike of his lifestyle. He is gay and has lived with his partner of 25 years in the apartment. His partner is the association president and he is a "supervisor," a position that he says puts him in charge of such jobs as lawn maintenance. The two have been in leadership positions for 25 years.

"This woman is harassing my partner and me because we're active in the association," he said.