guest blog by Deborah Goonan
After Bob Norman of Channel 10 news brought media attention to Board member misconduct at Georgian Court North Condo Association last fall, former President Ed Ryan entered a guilty plea on criminal charges of practicing community association management without a license.
The Judge sentenced Ryan to 3 months probation and 25 hours of community service. Ryan was also ordered to return his ‘borrowed’ car to the Association and resign from the Board. The judge did not order financial Restitution.
The Attorney General opened the case following an investigation by Local 10 News in September.
The media really can be effective in resolving problems for homeowners. The Association is now pursuing a civil lawsuit in an attempt to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars that Ryan paid himself over ten years.
Unbelievable. Why didn’t THIS JUDGE put him in jail and order financial restitution. Forcing the homeowners to file a civil lawsuit just drags the already harmful, stressful and criminal situation on for years to come and overwhelms his victims lives. Did he steal any homes via non judicial foreclosure, or other? It is becoming even more apparent that HOA criminality, stealing of the finances and innocent homeowners homes is nearly “the perfect crime.” I guess he will be using the monies he has allegedly stolen to pay for an attorney to defend himself. Wake up America!
The judge knew that there are not enough Jails in the USA much less Florida to put crooked HOA members behind bars. He did what was enough to please those that actually notice which is the people listening to the news report and think the man received some sort of punishment. How many would be happy to steal for 10 years if they know they would get probation for a couple months. It is like all things associated with hoa a matter of stink. It stinks but they call you crazy if you complain.
This guy is scum… no doubt about it. I’m actually more angry at the Judge, who gave this HOA crook a simple slap on the hand.
This fact baffles me as well, Dave. Why must the HOA file a separate civil suit instead of gaining restitution as a result of criminal charges?
I would have been happy if the judge actually gave the guy a slap on the wrist. What the judge did was make the matter disappear. I am sure all the money people are happy and the judge or his relatives will receive several profitable consulting cases. Lawyers have not conflict of interest. Ask them.
Where I live property managers aren’t licensed, which explains a lot. The company that “manages” my complex is rude, won’t answer calls or emails 50% of time, and is THE point of contact for the board so complaining about the property manager is next to impossible.