Adam's Legal Defense Fund @ the LifeSavers Bldg
Donation protected
summary
- As an outspoken advocate for Homeowners, I've been sued for alleged defamation by our Managing Agent suspected of theft
- The case is frivolous, protected by free speech and truthful statements
- I believe this was to silence me, intimidate others, and deflect problems
- Without defending, I would automatically lose the case
- I need help covering the legal costs
- My efforts led to Owners making a Special Election happen
- The new Board turned the Building around, and now it's thriving
8/9/2023
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you and yours well.
It's been almost a year since I've written to my fellow Landmark Condo Owners. To be clear, I am now doing so in my capacity as the Founder of the LifeSavers Building Homeowners Group. Not as an LCA Board Member, which is another role I have and greatly respect.
Our Group was formed in 2020, and I am very proud of what we accomplished since then. 2020 was our Building's 100th Anniversary and the start of a pandemic - talk about bad timing.
Our Building is a National Registered Historic Place and was the iconic LifeSavers Candy Factory for over 60 years! Today, long-time locals still reminisce about the daily smell of candy - butterscotch and cherry were most popular.
I organized the Homeowners Group because I saw the needs of Owners ignored year after year. And our home was deteriorating and becoming more unsafe day by day. Eventually, it was apparent that the Board was serving the needs of one rather than the needs of all.
As a result, Owners felt lost and powerless. We needed to be inspired, be part of a vision, and come together rather than social distance.
By writing 47 informative newsletters, holding socials with presentations, and rallying Owners to vote, I brought together a community and did what seemed impossible.
That was to have a fair election to select our representatives. It is an essential right that Americans have. And Owners were denied that right for three years.
With perseverance, an Election finally happened through a Special Meeting with 60% participation, the highest ever for Landmark! Our slate of 7 candidates decisively won all seats.
For many, there was a fresh sense of optimism and relief. It was a new beginning.
But for me and my family, it has come at a cost.
In October 2021, the Managing Agent and his lawyer chose to sue me for alleged defamation. I did not share this with the Owners then because it was a distraction. Having an Election to save the Building was most important.
The First Amendment's Right to Free Speech protect my ability to share an opinion. That did not matter to the Agent and his lawyer. And my statements were truthful and substantiated by facts and sources they both had access to. They ignored that.
Therefore, it's obvious this occurred to silence and smear me before the elections, intimidate voters who wanted change, and was a vindictive abuse of power.
To this day, I am still fighting this frivolous lawsuit. If I chose not to, there would be a default judgment against me, regardless of the facts above.
As part of court proceedings, the discovery process includes exchanging information and depositions.
For our Maintenance and Cleaning contract (that the Managing Agent was also to provide), Owners paid for services we did not receive. One of those services, for six years. I know this because I served on the Board in 2016 when the contract started. I voted against it and was in the minority.
Through firsthand knowledge and conversations with the employees who worked here, an estimated $272,119 paid by Landmark was for services not received.
I have shared this data and supporting evidence with our Association's lawyers. They have included it in a Crime Insurance Claim for the Building.
Regarding my case, and as you can imagine, the legal costs to defend myself have escalated. It is now over $20,000, and I expect that to double, possibly triple, if it goes to trial.
Therefore, I am asking donors to help contribute towards my legal costs. Contributions of any size would be greatly appreciated.
The Herlihy Law Firm represents me, and they have been most professional and understanding. And for that, I am thankful.
For years, I have been working to protect my family and our home and investment. Running away from the problem was not an option. Standing up for myself and the others I care about was the right and only thing to do.
Thank you very much for your support.
With gratitude,
Adam
Disclaimer: The Lifesavers Building Homeowners Group has no relation to the Landmark Condo Association.
#ACLU #SLAPPlawsuit #Anti-SLAPPdefense #CondoLaw #Community #Home #ManyHandsMakeLightWork
Organizer
Adam Madoian
Organizer
Port Chester, NY