Case Summary
| Case ID |
19F-H1918028-REL-RHG |
| Agency |
ADRE |
| Tribunal |
OAH |
| Decision Date |
2019-05-01 |
| Administrative Law Judge |
Diane Mihalsky |
| Outcome |
none |
| Filing Fees Refunded |
$0.00 |
| Civil Penalties |
$0.00 |
Parties & Counsel
| Petitioner |
Patricia Wiercinski |
Counsel |
— |
| Respondent |
Long Meadow Ranch East Property Owners Association, Inc. |
Counsel |
Ashley N. Moscarello, Esq. |
Alleged Violations
A.R.S. § 33-1805(A)
Outcome Summary
The Administrative Law Judge dismissed the petition upon rehearing, holding that the email chain discussing an incident involving the Petitioner's husband was an informal communication among Board members, not an official record of the association under A.R.S. § 33-1805(A), since the Board never took any formal action on the matter. Therefore, the HOA was not required to produce an un-redacted copy.
Why this result: The Petitioner failed to meet the burden of proof that the email string constituted 'financial and other records of the association' which Respondent was required to provide.
Key Issues & Findings
Failure to produce association records (un-redacted email string) upon member request
Petitioner alleged the HOA violated A.R.S. § 33-1805 by failing to produce an un-redacted copy of an email chain among Board members concerning an incident where Petitioner's husband allegedly harassed potential buyers, arguing the email constituted an official association record.
Orders: Petition denied and dismissed. The HOA did not violate A.R.S. § 33-1805(A) as the email string was determined not to be an official record of the association.
Filing fee: $0.00, Fee refunded: No
Disposition: petitioner_loss
Cited:
- A.R.S. § 33-1805(A)
- A.R.S. § 33-1804(E)(4)
Analytics Highlights
Topics: HOA records, Statutory violation, Document production, Informal communication, Board quorum, A.R.S. § 33-1805, Rehearing
Additional Citations:
- A.R.S. § 33-1805(A)
- A.R.S. § 33-1804(E)(4)
- A.R.S. § 32-2199(B)
- A.R.S. § 41-1092.07(G)(2)
- A.A.C. R2-19-119(A)
- A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(1)
- A.A.C. R2-19-119(B)(2)
Decision Documents
19F-H1918028-REL Decision – 684134.pdf
Uploaded 2025-10-09T03:33:45 (149.9 KB)
Briefing Doc – 19F-H1918028-REL
Legal Dispute Briefing: Wiercinski v. Long Meadow Ranch East POA
Executive Summary
This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal dispute between homeowner Patricia Wiercinski and the Long Meadow Ranch East Property Owners Association, Inc. (the “Respondent” or “HOA”). The case, adjudicated by the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings, centered on the HOA’s alleged failure to produce official records in violation of Arizona statute A.R.S. § 33-1805. The dispute originated from a June 19, 2017 incident where Wiercinski’s husband, Wayne Coates, allegedly confronted and verbally abused potential buyers of a neighboring property, causing them to withdraw their interest.
The core of the legal challenge involved an email exchange among HOA board members discussing the incident. Wiercinski’s petition, filed on October 18, 2018, demanded access to what she believed were official HOA documents related to this event. The case proceeded through an initial hearing on January 10, 2019, and a subsequent rehearing on April 22, 2019, both overseen by Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky.
In both hearings, the Judge ruled decisively in favor of the HOA. The central finding was that the private email communications among board members did not constitute an “official record of the association.” Therefore, the HOA had no statutory obligation to produce them or provide an un-redacted version. The judge upheld the HOA’s decision to redact the names of the potential buyers and their agent, citing credible testimony regarding Mr. Coates’ history of “threatening and bullying neighbors” as a reasonable justification for protecting those individuals from potential harassment. Both of Wiercinski’s petitions were ultimately denied and dismissed.
Case Overview and Parties Involved
The dispute was formally adjudicated within the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Real Estate and referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings for evidentiary proceedings.
• Case Number: 19F-H1918028-REL
• Initial Hearing Date: January 10, 2019
• Rehearing Date: April 22, 2019
• Presiding Judge: Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky
Key Individuals and Entities
Name/Entity
Patricia Wiercinski
Petitioner; homeowner and member of the HOA.
Wayne Coates
Petitioner’s husband; central figure in the June 19, 2017 incident.
Long Meadow Ranch East POA, Inc.
Respondent; the Homeowners’ Association (“HOA”).
Michael “Mike” Olson
President of the Respondent’s Board of Directors.
Gregg Arthur
Director on the Respondent’s Board and a realtor.
Joe Zielinski
Director on the Respondent’s Board.
Kathy Andrews
Community Manager for the Respondent, employed by HOAMCO.
John Allen
HOA member and owner of the lot being sold.
Ashley N. Moscarello, Esq. (Goodman Law Group)
Legal representative for the Respondent.
Diane Mihalsky
Administrative Law Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings.
The Core Incident of June 19, 2017
The legal dispute stemmed from an encounter on June 19, 2017, involving Wayne Coates and a family considering the purchase of a vacant lot on Puntenney Rd., located across the street from the Wiercinski/Coates residence.
According to an email from the prospective buyers, Mr. Coates confronted them, their son, and their architect as they were viewing the property.
• Coates’ Alleged Actions: He “came out of his house and was belligerent and cursing at them,” claiming “nothing was for sale around here.” The potential buyer described him as “verbally abusive and extremely confrontational,” making “rude remarks while cussing” and displaying “extreme aggressive behavior.”
• Impact on the Sale: The confrontation directly caused the potential buyers to withdraw their offer. In their correspondence, they stated:
• Broader Concerns: The incident was seen by some as detrimental to the entire community. Board Director Gregg Arthur noted, “Wayne thru his actions appears to have interfered with and destroyed a property sale. We need to meet and take action on this matter as it will have a broad and chilling effect amongst the realtor community (effecting us all) not to mention the property owners.”
The Initial Hearing and Decision (January 2019)
The initial hearing focused on whether the HOA had withheld official records of its deliberations or decisions regarding the June 19, 2017 incident.
Petitioner’s Position
Patricia Wiercinski argued that the HOA violated A.R.S. § 33-1805 by failing to produce documents. Her key assertions were:
• Because an email about the incident was sent to a quorum of the Board, the matter constituted official business.
• The Board was legally required to make a formal motion and arrive at a documented decision, even if that decision was to take no action.
• She had never received any such documentation, such as minutes from an executive session or an open meeting.
• She pointed to a Board resolution regarding the electronic storage of documents as evidence that such records must exist.
Respondent’s Position
The HOA, represented by Ashley N. Moscarello, denied any violation. Their defense included:
• The email chain was an informal communication among neighbors and Board members on their personal email servers, not an official HOA record.
• No member had ever requested the Board take official action on the matter.
• The email string was provided voluntarily to the Petitioner.
• The names of the potential buyers and their real estate agent were redacted specifically because “Mr. Coates had a history of bullying and intimidating people.”
• The Board never formally discussed the incident, held a meeting, voted, or took any official action.
• The Community Manager, Kathy Andrews, testified that no official records (agendas, resolutions, minutes, etc.) pertaining to the incident existed.
Outcome and Rationale
The Administrative Law Judge denied the petition. The key conclusions of law were:
• The burden of proof was on the Petitioner to show a violation occurred.
• The simple fact that a quorum of Board members discussed a topic in private emails “does not make it official Board business,” especially when no action is taken.
• Forcing volunteer board members to formally document every informal discussion would be an “unnecessary and burdensome requirement.”
• Because the Petitioner did not establish that any official documents regarding the incident existed, the petition was dismissed.
The Rehearing and Final Decision (May 2019)
Wiercinski requested and was granted a rehearing, alleging “misconduct by the judge.” In this second hearing, she significantly altered her legal argument.
Petitioner’s Evolved Position
Wiercinski abandoned her claim that the Board was required to create a formal record of inaction. Instead, her new theory was:
• The email string itself, having been voluntarily produced by the HOA, must be considered an “official record of the association.”
• As an official record, A.R.S. § 33-1805 required the HOA to produce a complete, un-redacted copy.
• She argued that she and Mr. Coates had a right to know the identities of those who had accused him of belligerence.
Respondent’s Defense
The HOA’s defense remained consistent:
• The redaction of names was a necessary and reasonable measure to protect the individuals from potential harassment by Mr. Coates.
• The incident was a personal dispute between neighbors and did not violate any of the HOA’s governing documents (CC&Rs, bylaws), placing it outside the Board’s enforcement authority.
• Kathy Andrews again testified that the email was not part of the association’s archived business records, as the Board took no official action.
Final Outcome and Rationale
The Judge once again dismissed the petition. The final ruling reinforced the initial decision and provided further clarity:
• The email string was definitively not a “record of the association.”
• Because it was not an official record, A.R.S. § 33-1805 did not compel the HOA to provide an un-redacted version.
• The Judge explicitly validated the HOA’s motive for the redactions, stating that the Board President’s fear that “Mr. Coates would harass the real estate agent and potential purchaser… does not appear unreasonable.”
Key Evidence and Testimony
The email communications provided the primary evidentiary basis for the case.
Incriminating Email Content
Several emails from June 20, 2017, highlighted the severity of the incident and concerns about Wayne Coates:
• From Real Estate Agent to Potential Buyer: “He [John Allen] knows this person, Wayne Coates, and said he has been an issue in the neighborhood before. He has contacted Hoamco and is seeking legal [counsel] to stop this menace.”
• From Director Joe Zielinski to the Board: “The YCSO [Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office] may file charges against Wayne for disorderly conduct/harassment… given Wayne’s arrest record and prison term and criminal history. … I don’t believe Wayne (and Patricia’s) aggressive and disruptive behavior will stop.”
• From Director Gregg Arthur to the Board: “I was hoping that this would not be a situation we would have to encounter with Wayne Coates and Patricia however here it is on our door step.”
Definition of “Official Records”
Testimony from Community Manager Kathy Andrews was crucial in establishing the distinction between official and unofficial communications. She defined official records as including:
• Governing documents and architectural guidelines.
• Board and general meeting minutes.
• Expenditures, receipts, contracts, and financials.
• Anything submitted to the Board for official action.
She confirmed that because the Board took no action on the June 19, 2017 incident, the related emails were not included in Respondent’s archived records.
Study Guide – 19F-H1918028-REL
Wiercinski v. Long Meadow Ranch East POA: A Case Study
This study guide provides a comprehensive overview of the administrative case of Patricia Wiercinski versus the Long Meadow Ranch East Property Owners Association, Inc. The case revolves around a homeowner’s request for association records and the legal definition of what constitutes an official document that a homeowners’ association is required to produce under Arizona law. The material is drawn from two Administrative Law Judge Decisions, dated January 22, 2019, and May 1, 2019.
Key Parties and Individuals
Role / Title
Affiliation
Patricia Wiercinski
Petitioner
Homeowner, Member of Respondent
Wayne Coates
Petitioner’s Husband
Homeowner
Long Meadow Ranch East POA, Inc.
Respondent
Homeowners’ Association (HOA)
Diane Mihalsky
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
Office of Administrative Hearings
Ashley N. Moscarello, Esq.
Legal Counsel for Respondent
Goodman Law Group
Michael “Mike” Olson
President of the Board
Respondent (HOA)
Gregg Arthur
Director on the Board
Respondent (HOA)
Kathy Andrews
Community Manager
HOAMCO (Respondent’s management company)
John Allen
Property Owner / HOA Member
Long Meadow Ranch East
Joe Zielinski
Director on the Board
Respondent (HOA)
Jim Robertson
Director on the Board
Respondent (HOA)
Tom Reid
Director on the Board
Respondent (HOA)
Boris Biloskirka
Former Board Member
Respondent (HOA)
Timeline of Key Events
June 19, 2017
An incident occurs where Wayne Coates allegedly acts belligerently toward potential buyers of John Allen’s property.
June 20, 2017
An email exchange regarding the incident occurs between John Allen, his realtor, and members of the HOA Board.
October 18, 2018
Patricia Wiercinski files a petition with the Arizona Department of Real Estate, alleging the HOA violated A.R.S. § 33-1805.
January 10, 2019
The initial evidentiary hearing is held before Administrative Law Judge Diane Mihalsky.
January 22, 2019
The ALJ issues a decision denying Wiercinski’s petition.
Post-Jan 22, 2019
Wiercinski requests a rehearing, alleging misconduct by the judge. The request is granted.
April 22, 2019
The rehearing is held.
May 1, 2019
The ALJ issues a final decision, again dismissing Wiercinski’s petition.
The Core Dispute: The June 19, 2017 Incident
On June 19, 2017, potential buyers, along with their builder, architect, and son, were viewing a lot for sale owned by John Allen on Puntenney Rd. The lot was across the street from the home of Patricia Wiercinski and Wayne Coates. An elderly man, later identified as Wayne Coates, came out of the house and was allegedly “belligerent and cursing” at the group, telling them nothing was for sale and they should not be snooping around. The potential buyers described the individual as “verbally abusive and extremely confrontational,” displaying “extreme aggressive behavior.” As a result of this encounter, the potential buyers decided to remove the lot from their list of considerations, stating they were seeking a “quiet, peaceful, and neighborly place to retire. Not a place with hostility and confrontation.”
This incident prompted John Allen to contact his realtor and members of the HOA Board, seeking action to prevent such behavior from interfering with future property sales.
The Legal Proceedings
Petitioner’s Argument: Patricia Wiercinski alleged that the HOA (Respondent) violated A.R.S. § 33-1805 by failing to produce documents related to its deliberations, decisions, and actions regarding the June 19, 2017 incident. Her core arguments were:
• The email about the incident was sent to a quorum of the Board, making it official business.
• The Board was required to make a formal motion and decision, even if it decided to take no action against her husband.
• She never received documents showing the Board addressed the incident in an executive session or open meeting.
• She did not receive a map referenced in one of the emails or a letter mentioned by board member Joe Zielninski in a video.
• An HOA resolution to electronically store all association business documents meant the requested records must exist.
Respondent’s Argument: The HOA denied violating any statute. Its defense was based on the following points:
• The Board never took any official action against Wiercinski or Coates as a result of the incident.
• The email string was an informal communication among Board Directors on their personal servers and was not kept as an official record. It was provided to Wiercinski voluntarily.
• The names of the potential purchasers and real estate agent were redacted from the emails because Wayne Coates has a known history of “threatening and bullying neighbors and others.”
• No official discussion or vote on the incident ever occurred in an executive session or general meeting.
ALJ’s Decision (January 22, 2019): The Administrative Law Judge denied the petition. The decision concluded that Wiercinski did not meet her burden of proof to establish that any official documents regarding the incident existed that the Respondent failed to produce. The judge reasoned that the mere fact a quorum of Board members informally discusses a topic in private emails does not make it official Board business, especially when no action is taken.
Reason for Rehearing: Wiercinski requested a rehearing, alleging misconduct by the judge. The Commissioner of the Department of Real Estate granted the request without noting any specific misconduct or stating why it should have changed the result.
Petitioner’s Changed Argument: At the rehearing, Wiercinski changed her theory of the case. She no longer argued that the Board failed to produce a record of a formal decision. Instead, she argued that:
• The email string itself was an official record of the association’s business.
• A.R.S. § 33-1805 therefore required the HOA to produce a fully un-redacted copy of the emails.
• She and Mr. Coates had a right to know the names of the individuals accusing Mr. Coates of belligerence.
Respondent’s Rebuttal: The HOA maintained its position:
• The email string was not an official record because the Board never took any action on the matter. The incident did not violate any of the HOA’s CC&Rs, bylaws, or anything else it was empowered to enforce.
• Community Manager Kathy Andrews testified that official records include governing documents, minutes, and items submitted to the Board for action. Since the Board took no action, the email was not included in the association’s archived records.
• The names were redacted because of Mr. Coates’s history of intimidation, and the Board president feared he would harass the individuals involved.
ALJ’s Final Decision (May 1, 2019): The petition was dismissed again. The ALJ reaffirmed that the email string was not a “record of the association.” Therefore, A.R.S. § 33-1805(A) did not require the Respondent to provide an un-redacted version to the Petitioner. The judge also noted that the fear of harassment by Mr. Coates, which prompted the redactions, “does not appear unreasonable.”
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Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences based on the information provided in the case documents.
1. What specific event on June 19, 2017, initiated the legal dispute?
2. What Arizona statute did Patricia Wiercinski claim the HOA violated, and what does that statute generally require?
3. Why did the HOA state it redacted names from the email chain it provided to Wiercinski?
4. In the initial hearing, what did Wiercinski argue the HOA Board was required to do even if it decided to take no action on the incident?
5. How did Wiercinski’s primary legal argument change between the first hearing and the rehearing?
6. Who is Kathy Andrews, and what was her testimony regarding the HOA’s official records?
7. Did the HOA Board ever hold a formal meeting or take an official vote regarding the incident involving Wayne Coates?
8. According to the ALJ, does an informal email discussion among a quorum of board members automatically constitute “official Board business”?
9. What was the final ruling in the case after the rehearing?
10. What reason did HOA President Mike Olson give for the Board not taking official action on the June 19, 2017 incident?
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Answer Key
1. The event was an alleged confrontation where Wayne Coates was belligerent and verbally abusive toward potential buyers who were viewing a property for sale across the street from his home. This encounter caused the buyers to lose interest in the property.
2. Wiercinski claimed the HOA violated A.R.S. § 33-1805. This statute requires that all financial and other records of a homeowners’ association be made reasonably available for examination by any member.
3. The HOA stated it redacted the names of the potential purchasers and their real estate agent due to Wayne Coates’s history of “threatening and bullying neighbors and others.” Board President Mike Olson testified he feared Mr. Coates would harass the individuals if their identities were revealed.
4. In the initial hearing, Wiercinski argued that the Board was required to make a formal motion and arrive at a formal, documented decision even if it decided it was not going to take any action against her husband.
5. In the rehearing, Wiercinski’s argument shifted from claiming the HOA failed to produce a record of a decision to arguing the email string itself was an official record. She then demanded that the HOA provide a fully un-redacted version of this email string.
6. Kathy Andrews is the community manager for the HOA, employed by the management company Hoamco. She testified that the association’s official records include items like governing documents, meeting minutes, and anything submitted to the Board for action, and that the email was not an official record because the Board took no action.
7. No. Testimony from multiple witnesses, including Mike Olson and Gregg Arthur, confirmed that the Board never discussed the incident at an executive meeting or general membership meeting and never voted or took any official action as a result of the incident.
8. No. The ALJ’s decision states that the mere fact a quorum of Board members discusses a topic does not make it official Board business, especially if they do not take any action to make it so.
9. The final ruling was that the Petitioner’s petition was dismissed. The ALJ found that the email string was not an official record of the association, so the HOA was not required by law to provide an un-redacted version.
10. Mike Olson testified that the Board never voted to take any action because the alleged incident did not violate the Respondent’s CC&Rs, bylaws, or anything else that the HOA was authorized or empowered to enforce.
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Essay Questions
1. Analyze the distinction made by the Administrative Law Judge between informal discussions among board members and “official Board business.” How did this distinction shape the outcome of both hearings?
2. Discuss the evolution of Patricia Wiercinski’s legal strategy from the initial hearing to the rehearing. Was the change in argument effective, and why or why not?
3. Examine the roles of A.R.S. § 33-1805 and A.R.S. § 33-1804 in this case. Explain how the Petitioner and Respondent interpreted these statutes differently and how the Administrative Law Judge ultimately applied them.
4. Based on the testimony of Mike Olson and Kathy Andrews, describe the HOA’s official position on record-keeping and its justification for not treating the email string as an official document.
5. Evaluate the Respondent’s decision to redact the names of non-members from the email string. What reasons were given for this action, and how did the Administrative Law Judge view this justification in the final ruling?
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Glossary
• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): The impartial judge who presides over administrative hearings, hears evidence, and makes legal decisions. In this case, the ALJ was Diane Mihalsky.
• A.R.S. § 33-1805(A): An Arizona Revised Statute cited in the case which provides that “all financial and other records of the association shall be made reasonably available for examination by any member.”
• A.R.S. § 33-1804(E)(4): An Arizona Revised Statute cited in the case which provides that any quorum of the board of directors that meets informally to discuss association business must comply with open meeting and notice provisions.
• Homeowners’ Association (HOA): An organization in a subdivision, planned community, or condominium building that makes and enforces rules for the properties and its residents. In this case, the Long Meadow Ranch East Property Owners Association, Inc.
• Petitioner: The party who files a petition to initiate a legal proceeding. In this case, Patricia Wiercinski.
• Preponderance of the Evidence: The standard of proof required in this administrative hearing. It is defined as “such proof as convinces the trier of fact that the contention is more probably true than not” and as evidence with the “most convincing force.”
• Quorum: The minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly (such as a board of directors) necessary to conduct the business of that group. The petitioner argued that because a quorum of the board was included on the emails, the discussion constituted official business.
• Respondent: The party against whom a petition is filed. In this case, the Long Meadow Ranch East Property Owners Association, Inc.
Blog Post – 19F-H1918028-REL
4 Shocking Lessons from an HOA Lawsuit About a “Nightmare Neighbor”
Introduction: Behind the Closed Doors of the HOA Board
Many people live in communities governed by a Homeowners’ Association (HOA), navigating the rules and paying the dues as part of modern suburban life. But what happens when a serious dispute between neighbors erupts? What if one resident’s behavior is so aggressive that it costs another the sale of their property? A real-life administrative law case from Prescott, Arizona, provides a rare and fascinating look into the messy reality of HOA governance. The lawsuit, filed by a homeowner against her HOA for allegedly withholding records, reveals surprising truths about what constitutes “official business” and the real-world limits of an HOA’s power.
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1. Not All HOA Talk is “Official Business”—Even When the Whole Board Is In on It.
The case centered on a dramatic incident. A homeowner’s husband, Wayne Coates, was accused of being “belligerent and cursing” at potential buyers viewing a lot across the street, causing them to back out of the sale. The distressed property seller, John Allen, emailed an HOA board member, Gregg Arthur, who then forwarded the complaint to the entire board. The petitioner, Mr. Coates’ wife, argued that this email chain was an official HOA record.
Her argument rested on a profound misunderstanding of board governance that many residents likely share: she claimed the board was legally required to make a motion and arrive at a formal decision even if it decided to do nothing. The administrative law judge firmly rejected this idea. The emails were deemed informal, private communications, not official records.
The judge clarified that “official business” is triggered when a board moves toward a formal decision or action that would bind the association, such as spending funds, issuing a violation, or changing a rule. These emails were purely informational and investigatory, never reaching that threshold. This distinction is a cornerstone of volunteer board governance, as it protects boards from being paralyzed by procedure. The judge’s decision powerfully refutes the notion that boards must formally document every issue they choose not to pursue:
the mere fact that a quorum of Board members may discuss a topic does not make it official Board business, especially if they do not end up taking any action to make a matter board business. Any other result would impose an unnecessary and burdensome requirement on volunteers who are not compensated for their time who are may be neighbors and who may also be friends, in addition to being Board members.
2. A Neighbor’s Behavior Can Kill a Property Sale, and Your HOA Might Be Powerless.
The impact of Mr. Coates’ alleged actions was immediate and severe. The potential buyers, seeking a peaceful retirement, were so shaken by the confrontation that they explicitly withdrew their interest in the property.
An email from the potential buyer, submitted as evidence, vividly illustrates the direct financial consequence of the neighbor’s behavior:
In closing when we returned one thing that stands out is would we want to live next to this type of behavior of [a] neighbor? The answer is no, this lot was one that we had in our top 2 Lots as a consideration for purchase but due to the volatile potential of this man, we have decided at this point to remove it from our list.
Despite the clear harm to a member, the HOA concluded it could not intervene. According to testimony, Community Manager Kathy Andrews explained that the HOA had “no authority to become involved in a personal dispute between neighbors.” Further, Board President Mike Olson testified that the incident did not violate any specific CC&Rs or bylaws the board was empowered to enforce. This highlights a counter-intuitive reality for many homeowners: not all bad neighbor behavior falls under an HOA’s jurisdiction, even when it negatively affects property sales. However, while the HOA was powerless, the situation was not a dead end for the seller, who court records show did eventually sell his lot to someone else.
3. Transparency Has Limits, Especially When a Resident Is Seen as a Threat.
The petitioner demanded an un-redacted copy of the emails, wanting to know exactly who was accusing her husband. The HOA refused, redacting the names of the potential buyers and their real estate agent.
The reason, according to sworn testimony from HOA President Mike Olson, was that Mr. Coates had a “history of threatening and bullying neighbors and others.” This case highlights the inherent tension between a member’s right to information and the board’s fiduciary duty to protect individuals from harm. While members have a right to access official records, that right is not absolute.
The judge validated the board’s exercise of its duty of care, finding its rationale for the redactions to be sound. In a moment of legal irony, the judge noted that the board’s fear was reasonable, “especially given Mr. Coates’ role in causing Petitioner to prosecute this petition at the original hearing and rehearing.” In effect, the petitioner’s own aggressive pursuit of the case in court helped to legally justify the board’s initial decision to protect identities from her husband.
4. Suing Your HOA Can Put Your Own Dirty Laundry on Display.
Perhaps the greatest irony of the lawsuit is what it ultimately accomplished. In her quest to obtain what she believed were improperly withheld documents, the petitioner’s legal action placed deeply unflattering information about her husband directly into the public record for anyone to see.
Emails submitted as evidence contained damaging statements, including an email from board member Joe Zielinski that is now a permanent part of the court file. It contained severe allegations that went far beyond the initial incident.
The YCSO [Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office] may file charges against Wayne for disorderly conduct/harassment, based on what happened to Mr. Allan and the others in attendance, given Wayne’s arrest record and prison term and criminal history. . . . I don’t believe Wayne (and Patricia’s) aggressive and disruptive behavior will stop.
This serves as a powerful “be careful what you wish for” lesson in HOA litigation. The lawsuit, intended to hold the HOA accountable, permanently enshrined the allegations about her husband’s “arrest record and prison term” in the public court record—the very opposite of the privacy and vindication the petitioner was likely seeking.
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Conclusion: The Fine Line Between Community and Controversy
This case peels back the curtain on the complex world of volunteer-run HOAs. It demonstrates that the line between an informal discussion among neighbors and official, actionable HOA business is finer and more consequential than most residents assume. It shows that an HOA’s power has clear limits and that a board’s duty to protect individuals can sometimes override demands for total transparency. It makes you wonder: when you see a problem in your neighborhood, is it truly the HOA’s business to solve, or is it a personal dispute between neighbors?
Case Participants
Petitioner Side
- Patricia Wiercinski (petitioner)
Appeared on her own behalf
- Wayne Coates (petitioner's husband)
Central figure in the June 19, 2017 incident
Respondent Side
- Ashley N. Moscarello (HOA attorney)
Goodman Law Group
Represented Respondent
- Michael Olson (board president, witness)
President of Respondent's board; testified at hearing and rehearing
- Gregg Arthur (board director, witness)
Director on Respondent's board; testified at hearing
- Kathy Andrews (property manager, witness)
HOAMCO
Respondent's community manager; employed by HOAMCO; testified at hearing and rehearing
- John Allen (member/complainant)
Owner trying to sell property across the street from Petitioner; member of Respondent
- Jim Robertson (board director)
Director on Respondent's board
- Joe Zielinski (board director, witness)
Director on Respondent's board; mentioned conversation with YCSO deputy
- Tom Reid (board director)
Director on Respondent's board
- Boris Biloskirka (former board member)
Recipient of emails; identified as a former Board member
- Josh (compliance officer)
Referenced in emails regarding compliance inspections
Neutral Parties
- Diane Mihalsky (ALJ)
Administrative Law Judge
- Shelia Polk (head prosecutor)
Head of the office Joe Zielinski sought to contact regarding Wayne Coates
- YCSO’s deputy (deputy)
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
Conversed with Joe Zielinski regarding the incident
- Judy Lowe (commissioner)
Arizona Department of Real Estate
Commissioner of the Arizona Department of Real Estate
- Felicia Del Sol (administrative staff)
Transmitted decision electronically
