A disabled Army veteran is taking legal action against a homeowners association and its property management company, alleging multiple violations of federal and state laws. Brent Wing filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on April 14, 2025, targeting Deckside Villas Homeowners Association Inc. and Community Property Management.
The case revolves around several accusations by Brent Wing, who claims that the defendants have repeatedly violated his rights under various laws. As a disabled individual with serious medical limitations following an ischemic stroke in March 2023, Wing argues that he has been subjected to discrimination and harassment due to his service animal. Between June and November 2020, Deckside Villas HOA allegedly issued violation notices and threatened fines because Wing's service dog was off-leash in common areas. The dog was trained to assist with mobility stabilization and alert others during medical episodes. Despite being recognized as a service animal under federal and state disability laws, the defendants reportedly failed to accommodate Wing's needs, violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Wing further alleges that after his service dog's death in November 2021, the defendants escalated their harassment campaign by circulating defamatory statements about him within the community. These actions reportedly caused emotional distress and reputational harm to Wing and his wife, compelling them to relocate to South Lake Tahoe for their safety.
In addition to these claims, Wing accuses the defendants of interfering with his attempts to sell his property by making false representations about its compliance status. This interference allegedly resulted in economic losses for Wing when potential buyers withdrew from purchasing his home.
The lawsuit also highlights issues related to unauthorized pest control work conducted on Wing's property by an unlicensed contractor hired by the HOA. Despite court rulings against this contractor for licensing violations, the HOA continued its enforcement actions against Wing.
Wing seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and financial losses resulting from these alleged violations. He also requests injunctive relief requiring compliance with disability access laws, reimbursement of fines imposed without due process or accommodation considerations under ADA guidelines; cessation of discriminatory conduct towards himself or other disabled residents; implementation of fair policies accommodating residents' disabilities; statutory penalties under Unruh Civil Rights Act amounting $4k per violation; punitive damages based on malicious disregard shown towards civil rights protection measures set forth federally & statewide regulations governing housing associations' governance practices affecting homeowners' welfare adversely over time through coercive tactics employed systematically across board levels involved directly/indirectly impacting affected parties negatively throughout proceedings initiated herein.
Attorneys involved include Sean Allen Esq., Carolyn Philips Esq.; Judge Maureen M Houska presides over proceedings identified as Case No.: 2023SC006335.