The vice president answered.
“He isn't attending this portion of the meeting.”
“Of course he isn't.”
The attorney raised a hand.
“This meeting concerns board governance. The homeowner has provided his evidence separately.”
The president dropped her folder onto the table.
“So you're holding a trial without allowing me to confront my accuser?”
“No,” the attorney answered. “We're reviewing the conduct of an association officer.”
The president looked insulted.
“I was handling a pest problem.”
The treasurer opened her notebook.
“Then perhaps you can explain why you brought a hornets' nest to a backyard occupied by children.”
The president folded her arms.
“I've already explained.”
“Please explain again.”
She looked toward the vice president.
“This is harassment.”
The vice president remained silent.
The president continued.
“The homeowner has been trying to destroy my reputation since he moved here.”
The attorney spoke calmly.
“His complaints are documented. The board's responsibility is to review the evidence.”
The president pointed toward the laptop at the end of the table.
“You mean his video.”
“Yes.”
“He works with cameras. He could have altered it.”
The attorney nodded.
“That's an allegation. What evidence do you have?”
The president hesitated.
“He has the technical knowledge.”
“That does not establish that the footage was altered.”
The treasurer leaned forward.
“Several board members watched the incident live.”
The president's face tightened.
“You were all tricked.”
The secretary spoke for the first time.
“I saw you lift the nest above the fence.”
The president turned toward her.
“You saw what he wanted you to see.”
“I heard you threaten the children.”
The president looked away.
The attorney explained that the board had preserved the meeting records and obtained statements from participants.
The original residential camera footage had also been provided for review.
No available evidence supported the president's claim that the central events had been fabricated.
The president's expression grew harder.
“So everyone has already decided I'm guilty.”
The attorney shook her head.
“This is not a criminal trial. We're determining whether your continued role as an officer is consistent with the association's interests and responsibilities.”
The president leaned back.
“I built this neighborhood.”
The vice president finally answered.
“You served it. There's a difference.”
The words seemed to strike her more deeply than the discussion of the video.
She looked at him.
“After everything I've done?”
The vice president kept his voice steady.
“You were trusted with authority. You were not given ownership of the people living here.”
The president laughed bitterly.
“So now you're all turning against me because one man complained?”