Crime
Police: Atlanta HOA failed to pay insurance money to 18 families displaced by fire
Grace Smith and her husband, a retired Navy veteran, bought an apartment on the Camelot Condo complex in Atlanta in 2019. However, the couple never moved into the retirement home. In January 2020, the complex was destroyed by fire.
The Smiths, together with 23 other families, were displaced after two buildings burned down.
AND“On the phone with WSB-TV,” Smith said that she and her husband were informed that the house complex’s owners association had decided not to rebuild the condo, but they might receive $45,000 from the condo’s insurance. The couple never received payment. Police say only six of the 24 families received payment.
“TThese were his retirement funds that we invested. No income, no housing – nothing,” Grace Smith said.
The Smiths contacted the Fulton County District Attorney’s office investigate the Camelot Homeowners Association. When police requested access to the HOA’s bank statements, they found the HOA received $1.5 million in insurance payments in 2020. Police say former Camelot HOA president Bettye Ligon and treasurer Lyndon Baldwin Sr. wrote the checks to themselves.
November 1, 2, announced town authorities that they’ve warrants against Ligon and Baldwin and are charging them with theft by conversion and theft by taking.
Two state representatives try to help the Smiths and other landlords recuperate the money they’re owed and are writing laws to prevent this from happening in the long run.
November 4, District 5’s Kalvin Bennett hosted the “Forum in Camelot”, inviting residents to discuss the developing issue and submit proposals for current solutions.
South Fulton County Police Chief Keith Meadows said he expected more arrests.
Residents whose unit was destroyed and didn’t receive insurance funds should contact Lt. Ebony Bullock South of the South Fulton Police Department at 470-440-9681.