Court: What Happened on August 20?



Gus Philpott appeared before Judge Coble, Richland County Court of Common Pleas, on Wednesday, August 20th. The purpose of the appearance was to schedule a trial date for the week of September 2-5. The court date, referred to as a Roster Meeting, was called by the HOA and its attorneys.

Two attorneys from Turner Padget were present, too. The hearing was virtual on WebEx, meaning we attended from the comfort of home and office, respectively. No travel time that day. (No travel time billed to the HOA.)

I informed Judge Coble that I was ready for trial.

One of the HOA's attorneys asked Judge Coble for a continuance. The reason? They needed more time for preparation; for example, depositions.

The judge gave them up to 60 days before I could get words out of my mouth to say they'd had eight months to get ready, and they were the ones who asked, on July 29th, for the Roster Meeting. Why did they ask for it, if they weren't ready? The Judge said he "noted" my objection.

More "lawyer time" means more fees charged to the HOA. Ka-ching, ka-ching.

Is there anyone - a-n-y-o-n-e - who thinks this lawsuit is in the best interests of the HOA?

The HOA started the unauthorized, unapproved, prohibited lawsuit to try to shut me up. That failed  They should have quit when Judge Coble ruled against the HOA on March 11, 2025.

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