HOA recall removes Shames

MISSION VALLEY Michael Shames, the longtime Utility Consumers Action Network director who left amid a federal probe of his charity business practices, has been recalled from his homeowners association board.

The decision to remove Shames and two other members of the Fashion Hills HOA board closes an acrimonious year for residents of the 226-unit community just north of Fashion Valley Mall.

In a record turnout, homeowners voted to remove Shames 112 to 15. Residents said Shames was instrumental in awarding a flawed painting contract and perpetuating other problems within the neighborhood.

He was creating a lot of the difficulties, Chris Morgan, a Fashion Hills homeowner who supported the recall, said about Shames. We couldnt continue to operate that way.

Shames declined to discuss the recall. In an emailed statement, he said he left the board months ago and had no involvement with the group since.

I never attended another board meeting after July and was not involved in any activities after that meeting, Shames wrote.

Last year the HOA awarded a $184,000 painting contract to a company owned by Robert Borrego, who also serves as the associations property manager.

Some residents complained that there was a conflict of interest, as the property manager should supervise the painting contractor. They also noted that Borrego was not a licensed painting contractor. But Shames said he was an attorney and there was no problem with the arrangement.

U-T San Diego reported the dispute last October. Earlier this year, the Contractors State Licensing Board cited Borrego for contracting outside of his classification. He has appealed that violation.

Borrego did not return calls from the U-T on Friday. One of the first actions taken by new homeowners board members was to give Borrego a notice to terminate his property-manager contract.

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HOA recall removes Shames