Our COVID-19 Lawsuit Coverage Received International Attention. Palmetto Place Condo Owners Threatened Us, Told Us To Stop Reporting.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Condominium owners in Palmetto Place fear that the lawsuit filed by Steve and Nancy Iscowitz — claiming their key fobs were deactivated when they tested positive for COVID-19 as the condo association sought an emergency order to hold them captive in their unit — will result in reduced property values in the swanky building.
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BocaNewsNow.com received multiple calls over the weekend from condo owners demanding that we remove the article which has now received international attention. Almost all callers told us that the negative publicity will reduce the resale value of their units. Not one caller asked about the health of Steve and Nancy Iscowitz.
As we were first to report on December 28th, Steve and Nancy Iscowitz allege that the condo association — and management company First Service Residential — deactivated their key fobs and attempted to order the two to stay in their unit after learning of the couple’s positive COVID-19 tests. The condo association sought an emergency order to mandate the couple stay inside, but Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Scott Kerner refused. The Association’s suit was later dropped. We are publishing that suit, below.
But allegedly aggressive actions by the Association led to the Iscowitz’s filing their own suit. Their attorney, Jeff Kominsky, issued this statement on Monday to BocaNewsNow.com:
“We believe that all association residents need to be treated equally and fairly within their community. Based upon our evidence, we believe that this was not the case with respect to my Clients. Bottom line, my Clients were forced to seek justice though the court system as a last resort.”
Attempting to fight the international attention brought by BocaNewsNow.com’s original reporting, Palmetto Place condo owners took the unprecedented step over the weekend of drafting a press release to promote their building and their condo association. The press release reads like marketing material, and seemingly wasn’t vetted by the condo association’s attorneys.
Wrote resident Nikki Hirsch: “It is so disheartening that during this terrible time of the pandemic, we have neighbors who put themselves first. They would rather create a media circus around their own needs than the needs of their neighbors. Palmetto Place has always been a wonderfully managed place to live with a first rate staff.”
Wrote resident Steven Tepper: “It is an amazing experience living in Palmetto Place. It is a hidden gem in the heart of bustling downtown.”
Wrote Randi Fibus: “In 2005 I received an organ transplant, so I am immune compromised (sic). Palmetto Place has watched my safety and made sure I was not in need of anything or harm’s way. My building has taken many precautions to ensure my health and safety. There is no place I would rather live.”
The Palmetto Place Condominium Association, in its own words, admits that it attempted to force Nancy and Steve Iscowitz to remain in their unit and not leave. The Association’s lawsuit uses this language:
“The Association has demanded that the Defendants comply with CDC statements and stay in their unit and not enter common areas until they provide the Association with a COVID-19 test result confirm that they are no longer infected with COVID-19.”
It was not immediately clear to what CDC language requiring a condo owner to stay in their condo — or provide confidential health information to an Association — the suit refers.
Condo owners calling BocaNewsNow.com also made tabloid-like claims, alleging the Iscowitz’s took part — or threatened to take part — in inappropriate conduct. We are not publishing those claims, but Iscowitz Attorney Kominsky made it clear that Palmetto Place condo owners who spread gossip or lies will face legal action.
“We vehemently deny the claims entirely,” said Kominsky.
Read the lawsuit filed by Palmetto Place, below. Use this link for access to the complete story if you are reading a news app.
Read the lawsuit filed by Steve and Nancy Iscowitz, here.
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