Did Crimes Occur?

When The Summit's HOA paid invoices from the law firm (Turner Padget) for legal fees and costs associated with the case against Gus Philpott, did a crime occur every time the HOA issued a check?

When the Association filed the case (actually, Danny Trapp told the lawyers to file it) in December 2024, the Board of Directors had never voted on it. The Board never approved filing the lawsuit.

In fact, the Board could not approve it, because the CC&Rs prohibit it without the prior approval of 75% of the Voting Members. The Voting Members were never asked to approve it, and they never did approve it.

The HOA paid thousands of dollars in legal fees and costs. It's difficult to determine the total amount, because the HOA has not published monthly financial statements on its website since August 2025. At that time, Legal/Professional Fees (Line 6500) for eight months totaled $16,224.44. That total might include general legal advice and services, other than the lawsuit.

I estimate the legal fees and costs for the case against me cost the HOA $25,-$30,000.

Were payments of those invoices legitimate business expense for services ordered and approved by the Board of Directors, or were they illegitimate disbursements of funds of a South Carolina non-profit corporation for legal services that were never approved?

When the bills came in, how did they get paid? Who told CAMS to pay those invoices? Danny Trapp was the Board President. LaToya Adams was Board Treasurer from November 2024 until May 2025. William Hill was Board Treasurer from July 2025 until November 2025. After October 1, 2025, who told Town & Country to pay the legal bills? 

Did the Finance Committee approve Accounts Payable? Or did it just recommend payment, and then an officer or the Board was supposed to approve payment.

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