Article and Video Courtesy of
MY FOX Channel 13
TAMPA
Published September 27, 2008 |
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VIDEO
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NEW
PORT RICHEY - A Pasco County judge is furious about a bizarre foreclosure
fight that has become physical.
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The
case involves the Beacon Woods East Homeowners' Association
and a resident of the neighborhood, George Weber.
"They
have totally run-a-muck, these homeowners'
associations," Weber said outside the Pasco County
Courthouse Friday.
The
Beacon Woods East Homeowner's Association accuses Weber of
violating deed restrictions, claiming some of his shrubs are
too tall. |
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Weber
is not the only one who has found himself in the association's cross hairs
over seemingly trivial matters. Renea Snyder has been fighting with the
association over a paltry $67.64 annual fee.
"A
homeowner's association is basically a government. They get a license
[from the state] and they're on their own," said Snyder.
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Despite voluminous
records obtained by FOX 13 showing Snyder's fee was paid, the
association's lawyer sent threatening letters demanding payment.
It's that lawyer, Donald Peyton, who may be in the hot seat now.
Last week, Peyton
was captured on home video. Weber had his camera rolling as he tried
to review documents at the Beacon Woods offices. The tape shows
Peyton pushing and shoving Weber, then slamming the door.
"I've been a
lawyer for about 14 years, and this is the first act of violence by
an attorney I've ever seen," said Greg Seeley, Weber's
attorney. |
Judge Paul Firmani –
who's overseeing the dispute - watched the tape Friday. He was incensed.
"The fact that it's
gotten to this point, over shrubs is absolutely astonishing," Firmani
said. Because of the fight, the documents that were supposed to be
available in court Friday were never turned over to Weber's lawyer.
Peyton refused to answer
repeated questions from FOX13. When asked what happened on the video tape
he simply said "Have a good weekend." Peyton also refused to
explain why he was pursuing so many foreclosures in Beacon Woods, he said
only "It's not my job."
In
the meantime, Weber has filed an assault complaint against Peyton.
Homeowners face foreclosure for bushes, fees
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