› Flat Chat Strata Forum › Strata Committees › Defamation and harrassment of EC members › Current Page
Thanks for all the advice!
I should have specified, I am in WA.
Also, I sought an MRO (misconduct restraining order) again the assaulter, who is also I suspect clinically ill and an associate of the ex chairman. In court it never went to trial as he promised to stay away from me and not interact with me. The magistrate was quite clear with him that he believed him to be guilty, and that if he breached the undertaking enough to cause me to return to court that he would ensure that a full RO was granted with not too much ado, so I don’t think the guy will breach: hes training to be a doctor, even a civil misdemeanour isn’t worth it for him on record.
After I intervened in the bullying of the gardener (for whom I supervised) and which comprised a verbal debate only and did not involve any physical contact at all, but it would be safe to say she came off worse, she got a Violence restraining order against me and so we went to court where it was dismissed. Scalding bit of rebuke against her from the magistrate too, cant say it wasn’t vindicating to see.
so those issues are resolved legally. I had not physical been in her presence for six months previous to the issues and other than the incident with the gardener, since. The court banned any email contact from either of these people. problem solved.
however the defamation is the thing. I had done some research and I know its not to be undertaken lightly. the motives are clear: she wants the gardening contract for herself (she is now a freelance gardener) and it was clearly stated in the letter.
all in all its a complex and toxic situation. I would love to step off the council, having driven through 3 big ticket projects, through sheer effort of will (they had been outstanding for five years) but our strata managers say that if she regains a seat on the EC then they will give notice. its a big thing as the previous strata managers, whom we have spoken to, are taking the same tack. so its not great, eh?
anyway, yes I do live well and am grateful to do so. I just needed a vent. im not totally discounting the possibility of an action as its a black and white case (they were very silly to write this stuff down and sign it), but I am aware of the emotional cost.