Brookridge Residents Demand Answers Amid HOA Financial Scandal

By Staff Writer — The Brooksville Signal

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — What began as routine questions about community finances at a Brookridge town hall last week has erupted into a full-blown investigation, as residents and local officials demand answers about potential financial mismanagement within the age-restricted community’s homeowners association.

According to reports confirmed by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement has opened an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Brookridge HOA’s financial records. Concerns include unauthorized bonuses, questionable fund transfers, and the possible misuse of reserve accounts — all of which have rattled residents who say they just want transparency in how their dues are being spent.

“It’s not just about the money — it’s about trust,” said longtime Brookridge homeowner Linda Rivera, one of dozens who spoke at last week’s packed HOA meeting. “We’ve built our lives here. We deserve honesty and accountability.”

The HOA board has so far declined public comment, citing the ongoing investigation. However, several board members have faced increasing pressure to step down or open the books to a third-party audit.

Hernando County officials have said they are monitoring the situation closely but emphasized that the HOA is a private entity. “We encourage any organization that handles residents’ funds to maintain full transparency and cooperate with authorities,” said a county spokesperson on Friday.

The situation in Brookridge reflects a broader issue across Florida’s retirement and HOA communities — where unchecked boards, opaque accounting, and limited oversight can leave homeowners vulnerable. Advocates have long called for reforms to strengthen financial disclosure rules and expand state oversight of large homeowners associations.

Progressive groups in Hernando County say this moment could be an opportunity to push for those reforms locally. “This is a wake-up call,” said Michael Tran, a member of the grassroots group Hernando for Fair Housing. “When power is concentrated in a few hands without accountability, residents always pay the price. We need sunlight and structure — not secrecy.”

Residents are expected to hold a follow-up community meeting next week to discuss next steps, including possible recall efforts and a petition for independent auditing of the HOA’s finances.

For now, the Brookridge scandal has become the latest symbol of a growing call for transparency and ethical leadership in local governance — even within the gated walls of retirement communities that once prided themselves on peace and quiet.