Fair housing complaint against Indy woman, HOA, property manager to move forward
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A federal court on Wednesday ruled a lawsuit can move forward against an Indianapolis woman, a property management company and a homeowners association.
This is new information on a story we’ve been following since 2018.
Vicki New, Kirkpatrick Management and Twin Creeks Homeowners Association have been accused of participating in a pattern and practice of “harassing, taunting, and threatening African American and Latino residents, guests, and contractors,” according to a press release from the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI).
New, the property management company and the HOA are also accused of “creating a hostile environment” in the Twin Creeks subdivision in Indianapolis. That’s on the city’s northwest side off West 62nd Street between Zionsville and Georgetown roads.
The case stems from complaints against New, including video footage showing her throwing no trespassing yard signs at her neighbors. Days after the video went public in 2018, police arrested New for battery and trespassing.
From 2016-2018 when New and her husband lived in the home neighbors report issues of her yelling and threatening adults and children on the street reportedly using racial slurs and foul language.
The HOA served New with a letter instructing her to stop her behavior or legal action would be taken. The behavior continued and the HOA stayed silent. A judge cites evidence that neighbors told a member of the HOA told them he was tired of taking phone calls regarding New’s behavior and that he would start charging residents per call. The HOA did take legal action against New and her husband in 2017 for not paying their HOA fees.
Court documents say the homeowners association and management company failed to take action to stop New from harassing and taunting them.
The federal court complaint was originally filed in April of 2020.
“We are extremely pleased with the court’s rulings ensuring that all defendants answer as to their role in allowing this harmful discrimination to continue for so long, including the lack of sufficient response by the Twin Creeks Homeowners Association and Kirkpatrick Management Company to resident complaints,” said Amy Nelson, executive director of the FHCCI, in a press release sent to News 8.
The New’s sold their house in Twin Creeks in 2018.
A representative for the HOA and Kirkpatrick Management declined our request for comment.