Women Agrees to Remove Cross From Patio in $10,000 Settlement

A woman whose determination to display a wooden cross on her patio pitted her against her homeowners association has accepted a settlement of $10,000.

Jean Majzler Amato, 46, of Irvine was told by the association to remove a 5-foot wooden cross from a planter last year because it violated the community’s rules. When Amato refused, citing freedom of religion, the association took her to court. She countersued, and with this settlement she agreed to drop that suit and remove the cross by Tuesday.

“I wish we had gone to trial, but the case was wearing me out,” Amato said. “And I don’t have the money to pursue it.”

Mark Hopkins, the attorney representing the association, said he was pleased.

“We’ve accomplished our original objective of removing the cross.”

The settlement also calls for Amato’s insurance company to pay $5,000 toward the homeowners association’s legal fees.

Amato said she plans to move across the street to another condominium complex, and that she will install the cross there.

“I know I did make an impact,” Amato said. “Although we didn’t go to court, I know that homeowners associations will think twice from now on before they purposely violate the people’s constitutional rights.”