Did the Litigation of Butler and Rattray Have Merit?

The litigation filed by Vernell Butler and Michele Rattray (separate actions) did have some merit.

Had it been properly filed, it might have been successful, rather than being dismissed this morning in the Blythewood Magistrate Court.

What was wrong with it?

The Plaintiffs tried to save money by filing pro se; i.e., on their own without an attorney.

Their claims were vague and insufficient.

They filed in the wrong courts (Dentsville, Blythewood, and Pontiac Magistrate Courts), and the consolidated case was in the wrong Court. A Magistrate does not resolve the claims that were made. The case probably should have been in Richland County Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Common Pleas.

When the HOA sued me, I continually brought up at hearings that there were no legitimate, duly-elected Voting Members (except Barony Place); no legitimate Board of Directors; no legitimate officers. Two Circuit Court judges tolerated my  comments, which an attorney probably would never have gotten away with. 

But my statements were not about my defense; they were about what the HOA was doing wrong. That wasn't part of the HOA's case against me. While the judges might have been entertained by my presentation, perhaps it wasn't legally applicable to my defense.

Perhaps that's why my motions for dismissal were denied. I chose not to file a counter-suit.

Maybe Vernell Butler and Michele Rattray will sue in Circuit Court. They'll need a good attorney, who will be expensive. Maybe Danny Trapp will pitch in, since he was there this morning to support Michele Rattray. Will Danny Trapp mortgage his home further to free up funds for such a lawsuit? Why didn't he fix the problem when he was Board President for two years???

The Members of the HOA (that's you) are very fortunate that the November 2025 election of directors came out as it did. Even though Voter Fraud took place again, right under the watchful eyes of the Nominating Committee and allowed by it, people were allowed to vote who were not eligible to vote,

As I have said before, liking the result of a fraudulent election makes me a hypocrite.

Maybe it's time to get new business cards printed:
GUS PHILPOTT
HYPOCRITE

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