Article Courtesy of The
Florida Record
Published August 3, 2024
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A
resident of Palm Beach County has launched a defamation lawsuit against her
homeowners association and several board members, alleging a campaign of
falsehoods that have severely damaged her reputation. Maureen Stafford filed the
complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach
County, Florida, on July 12, 2024, targeting the Lakeridge Falls Homeowners
Association and its board members.
Stafford's lawsuit claims that the association and its board members engaged in
a deliberate smear campaign against her, spreading false allegations to other
homeowners within the community. According to the complaint, these defamatory
statements included accusations of theft, lying, and illegal decision-making
during her tenure on the board from 2015 to 2022. The lawsuit highlights
specific instances where these falsehoods were allegedly disseminated. For
example, in October 2022, board member Robert Bonomolo reportedly told another
homeowner that Stafford "needs to move out of the community" and warned others
against supporting her. Similarly, Dominic Bienz is accused of telling residents
that Stafford was responsible for financial losses related to a sod project and
had engaged in illegal activities.
The complaint details numerous occasions where defamatory statements were made
publicly at open board meetings or social gatherings. On November 6, 2022,
during a party hosted by Terry Natalie, Bonomolo allegedly claimed that Stafford
lied and withheld information from the board. The most damaging incident
occurred on September 27, 2023, when Frank Martins presented a slide show at an
open meeting falsely accusing Stafford of mismanaging association affairs and
making unauthorized decisions.
Stafford asserts that these actions have led to severe emotional distress and
damage to her reputation within the community. She alleges that as a result of
these defamatory statements, other homeowners have ostracized her and labeled
her a criminal. The complaint also mentions an instance where Stafford received
a retaliatory cease-and-desist letter from the association's attorney after
submitting an official records request.
In terms of legal relief, Stafford seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000
for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She also
requests punitive damages under Florida Statute §768.79 for what she describes
as malicious actions by the defendants aimed at destroying her reputation.
The case is being handled by Shaun M. Zaciewski from the Law Offices of Shaun M.
Zaciewski P.A., while it will be presided over by judges from the Fifteenth
Judicial Circuit Court in Palm Beach County.
Case:
502024CA006532XXXAMB Div: AD.
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