CORRUPT DONT VISIT Costa Rica Vacation Rental Villa STOLEN with Government help!

BEWARE COSTA RICA IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS NOR IS IT AT ALL WHAT THE REAL ESTATE/TOURISM INDUSTRIES ADVERTISE IT TO BE. IT IS REALLY ANYTHING BUT A LATIN AMERICA PARADISE. as explained by this now sacrificial website, that was once used for over seven years as a well ranked booking site for the following home now locked up in corrupt government red tape:

No Justice, No investigation and No Prosecution of Criminal charges which confirms the fraudulent involment of the Costa Rican Government:
There were two criminal cases filed against Juan Carlos, one with the Fiscalia office and another with the Dominical Police, both of which, were never investigated and charges were dropped.The plaintiff was never notified, despite both agencies having Bruce's phone number.

Two robberies and brutal beatings of this disabled couple and a squatting of their house were committed. No Justice or help provided by law enforcement. Two and half years have passed. Juan Carlos falsified documents and filed an application for concessions of the squatted property, in his name. He lived in the house for a year and half with this restraining order in effect. The Fiscalia knew he was living there and failed to act. Nine months ago, Juan Carlos left after a second domestic violence altercation with his wife, which was stimulated by fearful rumors that they were going to be arrested for the robberies.

After two years of pressure with the OIJ (FBI), Jorge Rojas, the director of the OIJ on Costa Rica, Francisco Delanese, the fiscal general of Costa Rica, and the Fiscalia office in Osa, Cortez, along with Lena White with the supreme court of Costa Rica, have finally initiated an investigation of "corruption and oversight by the municipality and the Fiscalia office of Costa Rica" in Cortez. Apparently, according to The Senior prosecuting attorney Sergio Guiterrez, "we are just waiting for the mayor to document that the house was not built in 2001, in fact it was actually purchased in 1998 and built by Charles Southwell, AKA Harley Charley, all of whom were in Costa Rican corporations, and of public record".

The OIJ in Quepos had three suspects and an informant, tying Juan Carlos to both robberies, however the investigation was dismissed after the Fiscalia office of OSA would not participate in an investigation with the other home in question, where Juan Carlos was squatting.

Johanna, the prosecutor had promised Bruce and his interpreter, Carlos Chaverria that she would put Juan Carlos in protective custody for six months due to his demeanor, past dangerous behavior and criminal history. Juan Carlos was to be in this custody until the OIJ had time to investigate the allegations put forth by the plaintiff and witnesses, who had made formal declarations with the municipality. Instead, Juan Carlos, and Johanna, the prosecutor, fabricated and filed criminal charges against the rightful owner, Bruce Werner.

"We have been awaiting an inspection by the Minae (Environmental Protection Agency) for over one year. In the year of 2004 this inspection had already been completed. We have been in the process for concession of the maritime property since the Costa Rican Corporation purchased it in 1998. Interestingly enough, a neighbor, Thomas Hill of Gamatur S.A. bought a house from Charles Southwell next door one year prior in 1997 and was issued a concession four years later. We don't understand why we were not issued concessions after the Minae inspection in 2004", says Bruce Werner.

In conclusion, we are optimistic that somebody with compassion will act to bring closure to this terrifying and ongoing situation.

Original posting after beating and robbery in 2007

Pura Vida? More Like Pura precarista!

Dont visit Costa Rica! And most definitely dont buy in Costa Rica. You are just adding to the corruption. funding Costa Rican armed criminal organizations and squatters. The corruption goes so deep change is nearly impossible but at least we can educate costa rica visitors and tourists so they know what they are getting into before they are robbed and bludgeoned with the back of a gun. With Mexico its kidnappings, here its the same basic 3rd world problems only gringos fuel the fire, and ironically advertise a safe haven paradise.

There has been speculation and rumors that Bruce and his wife ran up a drug debt and could not pay for, I guess Thats the best they can come up with? I am proud to hear the impact this site has had and will continue to have on Tourism and real estate sales. Maybe if they returned the house to Bruce and his family, the rightful owners, would this site possibly come down or change, therefore helping the local economy.

This is one of those HORROR stories you only hear about.... right?

We have learned the hard way, that nobody really owns their Costa rica Land or Property. The deed/title is not worth the paper it is printed on! The only way to obtain concessions is endless amounts of Bribes to governmental officals that we refuse to do. Despite being threatened and assaulted nearly to death, and after
owning this vacation home for over 11 years, armed squatters Oh and I do mean armed (with sawed off shotgun and AK-47's, along with the corrupt members of the municipality of Osa in Cortez have now forcefully taken control of this vacation property: castleofthesea.com. They have done so with armed robbery, intimidation and continued threats along with falsified documents information.
I urge you to think twice about Costa Rica or your family could just as easily fall victim to these ungoverned criminals.
This property has been taken over by numerous armed criminals and druglords paid off by very powerful, influential people. Who else carries AK-47's in a Tourist country? The process is unfortunately all too common in Costa Rica. It is known as squatting. We feel obligated to inform American and Costa Rican Tourists that the municipality of Osa in Cortez and the Dominical police and most definitely parts of the OIJ (the FBI of Costa Rica) will not assist and actually are aiding in the crime. They closed the case! They gave back pictures of the stolen jewelry and said they wont be able to find it anyway. They never even pursued an investigation! The police are so corrupt that they have actually filed numerous criminal charges and an arrest warrant on the owner of the property for entering his own home, when he tried to rid the armed squatters.
The government and cops are alleging that the owner stole the property! From who? armed criminals and a drug Mafia? This is ridiculous!
The owner has tried all legal processes to rid the armed squatters, but all attempts have been unsuccessful. He has been given the impression that the only way he can get his house back is to keep up with the extortion for thousands of dollars in bribes which really only fuel Costa Rica's corruption and make the situation worse. Since the owner has not agreed to give endless amounts of money to the police and Mafia he was robbed and beaten at gunpoint and pistol whipped, giving him over twenty stitches in his forehead, as well as battering his wife. They are lucky to have escaped with their lives as many of these armed squatters will readily kill americans who stand in their place. The twist in this robbery is that the six armed gunmen were wearing and used masks, uniform boots, grayish-blue pants, handcuffs, and 38caliber long nose hand guns, equipment and weapons that typically only the police have access to. hmmm makes you wonder doesn't it? great place to take the family!

Not only were the armed robbers wearing police gear they new the dog and the victims by name. When they had the spouse handcuffed to the tiolet, the assaulters kept kicking and beating her demanding to know when is "Bruce coming home" There were a few times when some of the names were accidentally called out when Bruce struggled against the attackers, one was "Pana" Juan Carlos Bolanos' best friends!

We will never rest until we hear of a resolution.

Many many people have suggested we go in with guns and steal in back. Get real people Talk is cheap.

I strongly urge all people planning to visit Costa Rica to stay away from a country that accepts and harbors such criminal behavior and corruption.

Since the posting of this article the following occured. Sounds like someone is trying to cover their tracks..
Bandits make off with computers at Muncipalidad de Osa By José Pablo Ramírez Vindas of the A.M. Costa Rica staff Armed robbers descended on the Municipalidad de Osa and took 11 computers containing vital information including business licenses, plans, permits and information about maritime concessions. The robbery took place Thursday, and the men wore masks and carried two AK-47 rifles and a shotgun. The municipal building is in Cortez, and the area of jurisdiction stretches from north of Dominical to the north half of the Osa Peninsula in the south. Now the municipal workers are forced to do the daily business by hand with pen and paper. Fernando Jimenes, an aide to the municipal mayor, confirmed that the CPUs taken by the men contain vital information. He said several home robberies had been reported in the area. The guard at the municipal building was tricked and then overpowered by four men. The Judicial Investigating Organization said that one robber approached the guard shack about 8 p.m. and asked the security officer for a drink of water. While the man was distracted, the three masked men with guns showed up and then tied up the guard, said investigators. The guard told investigators that the armed men were all dressed in black and wore gloves, said the Judicial Investigating Organization. They took the guard to an interior room of the municipal building and took his keys. Despite having the keys, agents reported that the men cut the locks on the doors to gain access to the computers with the municipal records. The haul from the robbery included 450,000 colons (about $865) that was to be used to pay for transporting voters during the referendum election Sunday, the 11 CPUs, seven computer screens and a 2007 Toyota Hi-Lux, said agents. The municipality recently was criticized by the Contraloría de la República for its failure to supervise a maritime concession in Dominical, and additional reviews of documents were anticipated. Much of the documents at the municipal building also exist in hard copies, but it is not known how well they have been archived. Municipalities share responsibility for granting development concessions of public beach land with the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo.

Costa Rica used to be a land of Tourism but now is a land of REAL ESTATE Terrorism, not to mention a stage for extortion and bribery.

We want to thank the Blake Schmidt for running these articles, nobody else would help at the time. The corruption goes so deep that the reporter, Blake was fired, and he had to relocate to another country!

Not only is this organized group trying to cover their tracks but they are also now attacking the owners credibility.

(update 11/04/07) It has been confirmed that multiple people are involved, due to the fact that the tico times has received tips from typical Dominical residents that Bruce the owner owes money. To who for what? Amazing how people like to talk, but never show their lying face. We have lived in and rented this home since 1997!

This is another thing about Costa Rica. Do you really want to visit and or live in a place that your gringo neighbors conspire against you because they have nothing better to do. Or because they are envious or maybe just because Costa Rica is the really the last place that will take these scandalist expats. Half of them would go to jail if they tried to return to the states. They are nice to tourists because they fund their delusional lifestyles, but try and live there and its a whole different story. Most Ticos are great I love them but its these fellow americans that really hur this once great land.

This "Tico Denies Squatting Charges" article enfuriates me! Not only because there is so much that is not true, Juan Carlos contradicts himself. But the real frustration is the fact that the real people involved and behind this whole thing are not being sought after. The fact is even if we did get the indigent Juan Carlos out of our house this armed criminal organization would just put another deviant in his place.

Fact: Juan Carlos Bolanos has been to jail before for assaulting a city attorney in a court room. And has a long criminal record.

Costa Rica is so corrupt that the police refuse to arrest Juan Carlos despite having arrest warrants.

This reality is a nightmare, but we will never give up! This is our home for Christ's sake, bought with hard earned money!

If this were to happen in the united states the armed Mafia would be taken out in a matter of minutes with a 911 call.

We are going on 2 years now! The prosecuting attorney, Sergio Guiterez must be so busy that he can't get to our case for almost 2 years and counting.

An award winning Costa rican pacific ocean retreat. A luxury villa for rent by owner on the just south of Dominical, Costa Rica. with breath taking ocean and jungle views! 30 miles south of Quepos/Manuel Antonio. San Isidro only 30 minutes away

This breathtaking costa rican vacation home is located just five miles south of the world renown surfing town of Dominical, Costa Rica. Stunning class yet a surprisingly affordable.

This very spacious three bed, three bath, vacation home offers lavish amentities such as a Jacuzzi, a luxurious private swimming pool with waterfall and swim-up bar, three Air Conditioning units, Satellite DirecTV, a fully furnished kitchen, washer and dryer, well water, to name a few. All of which have been stolen and or vandalized. A highly unique luxury vacation rental, featuring divine panoramic views of the ocean, and lush jungle, from a variety of oceanfront balconies and jungle terraces.

Dominical and the Osa Peninsula area, offer many more activities and tours that are readily accesible; (class 4) white water rafting on the Rio San Isidro, sport fishing, horseback riding, sea and or river kayaking with Antonio, nature/canopy tours, fishing, Scuba diving at Ballena Under Water National Park,Cano Island, snorkelling, ultralight tours, beaches & surfing just to name a few. An ideal location, being so close to the ocean and tours of Dominical.

*Authentic Canopy, and Nature (ECO) tours are guided at the one and only Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge, only 10 minutes away from the home.

(Nayauca WaterFalls Tour) provides a fabulous homecooked breakfast and lunch. The tour takes you by horseback for a few miles to a lush waterfall which plunges into a large swimming area. You can swim underneath these waterfalls, so don't forget the swim trunks!

The pool is a blast with a nice covered swim up bar that is fun to serve lunch on. It's a real treat when the monkeys and toucans show up especially for kids. Make sure to bring binoculars so you can scout for all of the costa rican jungle creatures, and perhaps even a sloth!
You will be close enough to hear and see the ocean waves while enjoying morning coffee or sunset cocktails from the upstairs perch.

There is an Monkey trail right by the house, as well as a few resident Sloths not to mention a couple armed men with machine guns. This vacation home is the in the Primary Rainforest, and it makes for an ideal ECO Tourism/Terrorism destination, especially since it is located by many wildlife nature trails.

More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year. What draws so many people to this lightly advertised vacation destination? You got me! Crime is at an all time high yet the Natural beauty and diversity keep luring the naive tourists. Costa Rica covers only 0.03 % of the surface of the planet but it has about 6 % of the world's biodiversity (unique life). Visitors encounter oceans, beaches, rivers, mountains, rainforest, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Twelve major life zones provide habitat for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 species of mammals. Volcanoes like Arenal in Guanacaste Province or Irazu in Cartago Province, tropical rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the Pacific coastline, and tranquil beaches stretch across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, like Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula, which harbor more than five percent of the world's plant and animal species.

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