Butler's Case Against Four Residents - What's To Know?

On December 12, 2025 Vernell Butler filed a case in Richland County Magistrate's Court against four residents of The Summit. 

Butler is a former Alternate for Summit Hills V (until Dec. 2020), Director of the HOA (Dec. 2020-Nov. 2023), past Treasurer, and unsuccessful candidate for the Board in November 2025. 

Butler filed a Complaint (Case Number  2025CV4010405381) against Brenda Bryant, Linda Potter, Jeff Lummel, and Angelo Turley-Moore.

The case was originally filed in the Dentsville Magistrate's Court and was transferred to the Blythewood Magistrate's Court.

The allegations in the Complaint are: 

"BRENDA BRYANT, THOMAS LUMMEL, ANGELO TURLEY-MOORE and LINDA POTTER [emphasis in the original] have violated the South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act by holding an invalid election to improperly seat board members, which is in clear violation of this act."

The Complaint continues, 

"I believe, because of the above information, that The Summit is entitled to and I do request a judgement for $7500 for misrepresenting and defrauding the Residents of the Summit and/or other relief as below requested." [emphasis in the original]

"Immediate Dissolution of the Summit HOA Board of Directors for willfully and knowingly violating the SC Nonprofit Corporation Act. I here-by [sic] request that this election be held in accordance with the above mentioned act including any costs resulting in this action."

"I state under penalty of perjury that the above is correct and truthful, except those based on my information and belief."

It appears that Butler filed the Complaint without assistance of an attorney.

The four Defendants have until mid-March to file their written Answers.

OK, you legal eagles, what's wrong here? Can you spot the problems and the errors? Is anything unclear? 

Perhaps a better question is, "Is anything clear?"


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