Where did your money go? 

There was no lawsuit. There was no court proceeding. There was only my request, over a year ago, for mediation—a process encouraged by California law and required by our governing documents before any potential litigation. The board meetings had become dysfunctional and personal. The mediation itself cost $6,900, with the Association and me each paying $3,450.

Yet the Executive Committee—just four individuals—authorized $37,986 (and counting) in legal fees on matters involving me. The Board has repeatedly claimed these expenditures were necessary to "defend" the Association.

Defend the Association from what?

I believe these legal expenditures reflect the weaponization of Association resources against a fellow homeowner and volunteer HOA Board member.

Regardless of who's right or wrong, one thing is certain: the Association attorney is the only party being paid by you as the board majority continues this conflict. 🤔

Every issue the Association has accused me of in its community-wide letters is false and misleading. Rather than responding to the governance concerns I have raised, the Board majority has chosen to publicly attack me.

The Board majority went so far as to state:

"The Board encourages Ms. LaBruzzo to either cease her inappropriate behavior and publications or to 

file suit."

That statement is astonishing and irresponsible. But they already know that I have no desire to sue my own Association. If I had, I would have done so long ago. Instead, I requested mediation and it was accepted in July 2025. California Civil Code § 5940 requires ADR to be completed within 90 days after acceptance unless both parties agree in writing to an extension. There was no agreement for an extension. The Board (3 of 5 individuals in 2025) delayed that process for nearly ten months and has now spent nearly $38,000 in legal fees on "matters" concerning me.

The Board majority response to legitimate governance concerns should never encourage litigation. It should address those concerns.

Through June 30, 2026, of the Association's $48,440 in legal fees, $37,986 (78%) was spent on legal advice and strategies against me, leaving just $10,455 (22%) for every other Association legal governance advice or assistance over six months.

Note: The remaining $10,455 does not include legal review of the 2026 Architectural Guidelines, as the Board publicly stated that it chose not to have Association counsel review those Guidelines before adopting them.

Is this how homeowners expect their Association's legal budget to be spent?

This is about transparency, accountability, and the Board’s fiduciary responsibility of your money.

See: Governance Concerns