Slander. You can't distribute public record, Mrs. Callaway. Obtained through proper requests. The room ignites. Not chaos.
Controlled fury. Gasps, angry mutters. People standing to see documents better. Man near front. I paid 1,200 for a deck violation that doesn't exist.
Woman behind. She threatened CPS over a fence fine. Floodgates open. More voices, more stories. The undecided middle is now decided and furious.
Deandra's backed against the wall, literally. Face crimson, eyes wild, authority shattered completely. Her phone rings. She glances down, ignores it. Rings again.
Again. Aren't you going to answer that? I ask quietly from my seat. She stares at me with pure hatred. The phone keeps ringing.
Finally she answers, steps into the hallway. Through the open door we hear her voice rising. What do you mean the Star is calling? Who authorized No, don't comment. Don't say anything.
She comes back in. Face now gray instead of red. Sloan Beckett stands up from the back, press badge visible. Mrs. Callaway, can you comment on allegations of embezzlement and harassment? Our story runs tomorrow.
Deandra's mouth opens, closes, opens again. No sound. And we still haven't served the lawsuit. Deandra recovers fast, slams her phone down, crack echoing through the room. This is a setup.
This man, pointing at me, orchestrated a coordinated attack because I enforced community rules. He's using his federal background to intimidate honest residents. I stand slowly. Every eye tracks the movement. Mrs. Callaway, I have a question.
You can answer or not. Your choice. She crosses her arms. I don't have to answer anything. Then I'll share facts.
I walk to the front, measured steps. My name's Garrett Trudeau, 59. 22 years with ATF, Chicago Field Office. My specialty was financial crimes. Tracking money through shell companies and fraudulent invoicing.
Dead silence. Even her supporters stop fidgeting. I investigated dozens of cases where someone with minor authority, HOA board, nonprofit treasurer, started moving money. They always think they're clever enough. They never are.
I face her directly. Section 12C of our 2006 charter states parking amendments require 75% homeowner vote via mailed ballot. Your motorcycle ban 3 years ago? Three board members voted, no ballots sent. Every fine you issued under it is legally void.