How to Run a Racket: The HOA and Their Attorneys

April 8, 2026

I have previously recounted on this site that I got a consultation from an attorney about my HOA terrorizing me. As a recap, that attorney advised me to move. They said the real fight was to get someone to investigate the racket that is being run by Homeowners Associations in Florida. They aren’t lying.

What is a racket? According Chatgpt:

In the context of crime, a “racket” refers to an illegal scheme or organized activity designed to make money, often through deception, coercion, or exploitation.

🔍 Simple definition

A racket is basically a systematic criminal business—something ongoing, not just a one-time crime.

💼 Common types of rackets

Here are some well-known examples:

Protection racket Criminals (often linked to groups like the Mafia) demand money in exchange for “protection” from harm—which they themselves may cause if you refuse.

Loan sharking Lending money at extremely high interest rates and using threats or violence to collect.

Gambling racket Running illegal betting operations.

Drug trafficking racket Organized selling and distribution of illegal drugs.

Labor racketeering Controlling unions or workplaces through corruption, bribery, or intimidation.

⚖️ Legal meaning

In U.S. law, rackets are often prosecuted under the RICO Act, which targets organized, ongoing criminal enterprises rather than isolated crimes.

🧠 Key idea

What makes something a “racket” isn’t just that it’s illegal—it’s that it’s:

Organized

Ongoing

Profit-driven

My HOA went from email communications to referring me to their attorneys. This is an e-mail from October 21st:

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out. It appears that this account has been turned over to association attorneys for collections due to non-payment and non-compliance with the associations governing documents. Once an account is transferred to the attorney for collection processing, we are no longer able to provide information or communicate on the matter, as it is now being handled directly by their office.

For any inquiries, requests, or additional information, please contact the attorney’s office directly. Their contact information is as follows:

Melissa A. Mankin, Esq.

Mankin Law Group

2535 Landmark Drive, Suite 212

Clearwater, FL 33761

Tel: 727-725-0559

Fax: 727-712-1517

www.mankinlawgroup.com

They will be able to assist you further.

Roger Kessler LCAM, Unique Property Services

Licensed Community Association Manager

(813) 413-1404 | (813) 879-1039

uniquepropertyservices.com

rkessler@uniquepropertyservices.com

PO Box 2878 Riverview, FL 33568

Here is the timeline:

I received an e-mail notice of violation from the HOA in August.
I responded in September when I checked that email address. The HOA had already held some meeting at the beginning of that month that I missed where I could have responded as to why I had my roof tarped (If that were to go anything like the ARC that the HOA had me file after the fact, then it would have been pointless).
I continued to respond in October.
The HOA sent the violation to their attorneys in October.

So in three months’ time, my HOA proceeded to fine me $1000 and then take legal action to get me to remove the tarp. I am already in the hole for needing to meet the deductible to get my roof replaced. I was already in the hole before that because the HOA put a lien on my house [for previously unpaid dues] and then proceeded to foreclose on it in August (This was stopped through bankruptcy.). I followed their attorney’s instructions (which were the HOA’s instructions) and the HOA denied the ARC. It feels like it never ends.

Organized.

Ongoing.

Profit-driven.

If you want to know more about this specific story, read the following posts on Florida Homeowners Association Terror: