A dozen witnesses, most of them neighbors, testified Wednesday in the bench trial of Gursimran Singh Walia.
Walia, associate dean of the Augusta University School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, is accused of violating a county ordinance by operating an event venue in an upscale Columbia County subdivision.
The Villa at Barrington LLC is an “Italian luxury villa” that starts around $1,500 a night, according to online listings.
It offers full-service event planning catering by Allgood Hospitality, as well as any amenity a destination wedding or family reunion could want.
Observing lavish parties held at homes during Masters Week, Walia simply wanted to take it a step further, his attorney Jeff Peil told the court.
“He said, ‘why should this stop after Masters?’” said Peil.
Events held at the 6,400-square-foot mansion on Lakestone Court in the Barrington subdivision of Martinez drew immediate complaints from neighbors earlier this year.
Walia immediately took down some advertising, but continued to host events, Codes Enforcement Manager Dana Rhodes said.
Barrington homeowner Carroll Proctor said when the events began, he contacted Walia anonymously.
Using the nickname “Ricky,” Proctor said Walia informed him he bought the property just to host events and actually lived somewhere else.
Walia informed him he had “personal permission” from the president of the Barrington homeowner’s association to host events, Proctor testified.
Proctor said he knew that wasn’t true because the president is his wife, Caroline.
Then on May 21, Proctor said he saw black Mercedes vans delivering guests to the house, so he followed them. They were carpooling guests from vehicles parked at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, he said.
The homeowner’s association has since filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Walia hosting events at the property.
Association covenants, it says, forbid more than one family from occupying each lot – except for Masters Tournament rentals – and ban operation of a business that attracts customer or supply traffic.
Several neighbors testified Wednesday about seeing trucks hauling in tents, tables, chairs and other supplies “most every weekend,” while rarely seeing Walia.
Peil asked each if they ever hosted or attended parties in Barrington homes.
Yes, but “not one people paid to attend,” replied Caroline Proctor.
The venue’s website remains live as does its Vacation Rent by Owner profile. Proctor said she was dismayed to see available booking dates well through next year.
Neighbor Gustavo Munoz said he’d never met Walia, but saw him at the property while it was being renovated. Since then, “I barely see him anymore,” Munoz said.
Peil objected to most of the witnesses called by Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Welsh, who tried the case with District Attorney Bobby Christine. Peil said the DA’s office only disclosed its witness list last week.
Chief Magistrate Judge Jason Troiano, who is hearing the case, allowed their testimony to continue.
Janet Gallo’s front door faces Walia’s. Gallo said she observed rental equipment being delivered and removed, employees setting out tables, linens, food and drinks, a DJ doing sound tests and workers providing valet parking.
Thomas Allgood III, the grandson of the former state Senate Majority Leader and owner of Allgood Hospitality, said he’d planned several weddings at the house but denied being in business with Walia.
Allgood called him “a friend” who offered the residence to host Allgood Hospitality’s ribbon cutting for the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. The chamber named Allgood its 2022 ambassador of the year.
Peil asked Troiano for a directed verdict, saying activities at the house were “fully in keeping with residential occupancy.” The county’s ordinance is unconstitutionally vague as to when a residential use turns into an event venue, as well as too broad, he said.
“Half the people in this room have rented out their home during Masters” and authorities look the other way, he said.
Walia is expected to testify when the trial resumes this morning.
