In January 2026, the Board majority began excluding Director Victoria LaBruzzo from Executive Session discussions and materials. This exclusion included Executive Session meetings, Executive Session minutes, legal invoices, and other confidential Board matters.
The decision was made during Executive Session and was never announced to the membership in Open Session. Homeowners who attended Board meetings became aware of the change only when they observed that Director LaBruzzo no longer remained for Executive Session meetings and left with the homeowners.
Over time, it became generally known that the stated rationale for the exclusion was the Board's concern about a potential lawsuit. However, Director LaBruzzo had not filed a lawsuit and had not threatened litigation. Her documented requests to the Board focused on mediation, concerns regarding Board governance, and what she believed to be ongoing harassment and hostility during Board meetings.
The Board later confirmed in written communications that the exclusion was tied to concerns regarding potential legal claims.
Why was an elected director excluded from Executive Session participation while continuing to serve on the Board?
If litigation was the concern, what specific lawsuit or threatened lawsuit justified the exclusion?
Why was mediation treated as a basis for exclusion when mediation is intended to resolve disputes without litigation?
Why was the decision made in Executive Session and not disclosed to the membership in Open Session?
How could an elected director fulfill fiduciary responsibilities while being denied access to Executive Session discussions, financial and legal materials available to the remaining directors?
If the concern was truly protection of the Association, why was exclusion considered necessary when no lawsuit had been filed?
Readers are encouraged to review the supporting documents and correspondence and draw their own conclusions.
Following mediation, Director Victoria LaBruzzo requested that the Board resume allowing her participation in Executive Session matters unrelated to mediation.
The Executive Committee responded through management and advised that her exclusion would remain in place unless she withdrew her allegations, released her claims against the Association, and agreed not to file suit.
The communication stated in part:
"Until such time as you withdraw your allegations and threats and agree in writing that you will not file suit against the Association..."
"Please let us know if you are open to a settlement agreement where you withdraw your claims, release the Association from them, and agree not to file suit..."
Readers may review the complete communication and determine for themselves whether these conditions were appropriate for an elected director seeking restoration of Executive Session participation. See My Claims for more detailed discussion.