Mt Juliet, TN: Mt. Juliet’s Hickory Hills Neighborhood Fires Property Management Firm; Police Investigate

A Mt. Juliet neighborhood has fired its property management company and filed a police report alleging an incomplete and “forged” audit amid questions about how funds were handled.

Hickory Hills in western Mt. Juliet includes more than 650 homes, according to a board member.

The police report was filed by Hickory Hills homeowners association board members Matthew Paffenroth and Lindsay Sutton against Gasser Property Management. Police are investigating, Mt. Juliet Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler said.

Efforts to reach Gasser Property Management have been unsuccessful.

The homeowners association ordered the audit around January with an expected completion of May, the report states. Homeowners Association dues are $123 quarterly per household, Paffenroth said.

Gasser Property Management is accused of sending a false or “forged” audit, according to the police report.

“Before the audit was forwarded, the company that had allegedly conducted the audit notified the Hickory Hills HOA board that the audit was not done and that the audit that they had in their possession was forged,” the police report says.

The Hickory Hills HOA board has terminated its contract with Gasser Management Company and hired Associa as its new property manager.

Hickory Hills resident Bret Kittle requested a copy of the audit on behalf of the community. A response Kittle said he received from Board President Steven Dean included:

“At this time a financial audit has not been performed for the Hickory Hills HOA. As such, we do not have a financial audit to share with the community.

“The Board of Directors will pursue a financial audit for the Hickory Hills HOA with assistance from Associa once the board is able to do so.”

Another email the board sent to residents in September said the expected balance of $18,000 in Hickory Hills HOA bank account when the neighborhood closed its account with Gasser and opened one with Associa was “significantly less than expected.

“We continue to investigate, but at this time, no additional funds have been located.”

The board is unsure if other accounts exist that contain additional funds, members say.

The board letter also said a forensic audit has been requested and the board has explored several financial options that include a loan and line of credit to maintain neighborhood stability if it becomes necessary to cover operating expenses during the transition.

The board’s letter also states a subpoena was served to Gasser Property Management on Sept. 4, seeking the release of all records pertaining to Hickory Hills HOA.

“There are still more questions than answers,” Kittle said.

Source: The Tennesean