IN COURT The Charleston sought to prohibit Zarucki from smoking marijuana (or allowing it to be smoked) in her apartment, from being excessively noisy and from keeping pets in her unit. She did not appear or oppose the motion, and in 2021 the court granted Charleston's demands with respect to smoking and noise, but not to pets. Then, in 2022, the board and Zarucki executed a settlement agreement that for a “probationary” period of 18 months she would not permit marijuana smoking in her apartment; she would not have any more animals in her unit other than the current cat and two dogs which she would not allow to roam unaccompanied or to urinate or defecate in any common area of the condo; and she would not create disturbing and loud noises. Despite Zarucki’s agreement, her troublesome behavior continued. In 2023 the Charleston went back to court, seeking contempt sanctions for violating the 2021 court order and the 2022 settlement agreement. In support, Charleston again provided written affidavits from building employees alleging that they smelled marijuana (and that the smell seemed stronger near Zarucki’s door), from the managing agent regarding incidents when the police were called to her apartment due to loud yelling and banging, and from an employee claiming that he saw defendant Zarucki drop drug paraphernalia in the service elevator. Zarucki denied all of the allegations relating to marijuana odors and stated that Charleston’s other complaints were too vague to justify holding her in contempt. COUNSEL For the Charleston Condominium Board TRACY PETERSON, PETER SALZLER Braverman Greenspun / For Judith Zarucki SERGE JOSEPH, DANIEL NAKOS Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben & Joseph / Judge Mary V. Rosado YOU NEED TO KNOW To find a party in contempt, the complaining party must show, by “clear and convincing evidence”, that (i) the court order in effect established a clear mandate; (ii) that the order was disobeyed; (iii) that the violator knew about the court order; and (iv) the complainant was prejudiced by the violation. The “clear and convincing evidence” standard requires the party to produce evidence making it “highly probable” that what they claim really happened. The court ruled that Charleston had not met that burden. The affidavits from the doormen reporting the smell could not definitively place it within Zarucki’s unit, and the odor complaints took place over a series of months. Other claims regarding violations of the pet limits were also deemed unduly vague. In sum, the court held that the violations and evidence presented were neither so severe nor specific as to constitute “clear and convincing evidence” warranting a contempt finding. And if the Charleston wished to pursue the motion, the court stated, the witnesses who submitted affidavits would need to testify. | 
