Court Rules for Homeowner Association

BEVERLY WILSHIRE-Beverly Wilshire Homes Association (BWHA) announced today that Stanley Brent has dropped his appeal of the Los Angeles Superior Court decision in favor of BWHA and two of its officers and has paid the direct costs incurred by BWHA and its officers for their defense.  

The appeal challenged a July 2, 2013 ruling by Judge Richard Stone, which dismissed Brent’s suit accusing BWHA and two of its officers of financial misconduct, extortion and other wrongdoing.  

The court found, among other factors, that Brent had absolutely no evidence to substantiate his accusations.  

Judge Stone’s July 2 ruling also recited that, “It appears that the action was not brought ‘solely’ in the public interest … Evidence from both the moving and opposition papers suggests that Plaintiff has taken a position contrary to BWHA’s public position regarding Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz’ motion regarding ‘mansionization’ … This evidence supports a strong inference that Plaintiff has brought this action, at least in part, to further his own personal political agenda.”  The judge awarded attorneys’ fees and costs to BWHA and its officers.  

In the Agreement that sets out terms for dropping his appeal, Mr. Brent “agrees that the court’s ruling was correct, Defendants were exercising their constitutionally protected Free Speech rights, and that Plaintiff [Brent] did not present evidence to support the allegations made against Ms. Plotkin, Ms. Sacks and the Beverly Wilshire Homes Association in the Complaint.” 

BWHA President Diana Plotkin has now said: “Clearly, Brent’s charges were baseless, and we are pleased to be able to turn our full attention to representing the interests of our community.  Beverly Wilshire Homes Association played a central role in the successful campaign to stop mansionization in the Beverly Grove neighborhood.  Among other important projects, we are now working closely with Councilmember Paul Koretz and the Planning Department to strengthen the citywide mansionization ordinance.”  

Media contact:  Shelley Wagers, 310-384-9876, [email protected]

 

(Shelley Wagers handles communication for The Beverly Wilshire Homes Association, an organization that covers an area of Los Angeles roughly adjacent to The Grove, Beverly Center, and CBS Studio City. This report was provided CityWatch by BWHA.)

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CityWatch

Vol 12 Issue 49

Pub: June 17, 2014