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The Villages
Sunday, May 19, 2024

‘Vexatious litigant’ files suit against two high-profile Villages officials

John Rohan
John Rohan
Brian Russo
Brian Russo

A Villager who recently field suit against Golf Management Solutions and Harbor Chase and is classified as a “vexatious litigant” by the Town of Lady Lake, has filed suit against two high-profile Villages officials.

Richard N. Hendricks, 79, has been arrested four times this year for trespassing on Villages’ property.

This past Thursday in Lake County Small Claims Court, Hendricks filed a suit against Villages Director of Recreation John Rohan and head of the Entertainment Department Brian Russo. Hendricks is seeking $4,999 in damages because he has been banned from Villages activities.

Richard Hendricks
Richard Hendricks

Hendricks previously filed a similar suit seeking $4,999 in damages from Tim Creely of Golf Management Solutions, the company that oversees operations at country clubs in The Villages. Summons in the case have been issued to Todd Basso and Erik Greulach of Golf Management Solutions.

Hendricks is claiming he was falsely arrested in July when he showed up at the Orange Blossom Hills Country Club swimming pool. Due to past erratic behavior and a number of arrests, Hendricks has been banned from all Villages facilities and has been informed of this by letter.

The criminal case in Hendricks’ unwanted visit to the country club has been resolved. He had been arrested that day on a charge of trespassing and booked at the Lake County Jail. On Aug. 4, he entered a plea of no contest in Lake County Court. He was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day already served. He was also ordered to pay $273 in prosecution and court costs.

In March, Hendricks was arrested after a visit to Villages property. In that case, he was also sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day already served.

He was arrested Aug. 12 when he went to Spanish Springs Town Square. That court case is pending.

Hendricks turned up Aug. 21 at the Rio Grande Family Pool. Hendricks began to complain of health problems and was transported to The Villages Regional Hospital by Lake EMS. He was issued a notice to appear in court on a charge of trespassing.

In 2010, the Town of Lady Lake negotiated a deal in which Hendricks was declared a “vexatious litigant,” which means somebody who basically abuses the court system.

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