“there’s thieves and whores and guns and murder…but there’s also a darkside.”
Hunter S Thompson.
’in deference to the above, this is an attempt to chronicle life’s daily absurdities, weird events and other sightings of the debased and debauched. Let’s just say that Antigua meets a lot of my needs for oddity: not as tough as ‘Vegas, and very similar to Sausalito and Carmel…yep, there’s more guns here…laissez les bon temps roulez.
Down and Out/UP! – I read your story after having it emailed to me from one of the Wilbur’s victims. Your article is actually very accurate with regards to the law and order here. Your assessment of the Wilbur’s is also accurate as far as dozens of people would have agreed right up to the point where they handed over their final payment for the property they purchased; after which everyone changed their opinion.
There was a meeting held at Coral Cay some time ago where over 50 people who had been defrauded by the Wilbur’s put their case to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Congressman. As you rightfully said there was no justice because money talks, and when you have defrauded people of over three million dollars you have lots of it to throw around.
The Wilbur’s employed a lawyer called Melvin Rosales who specializes in corruption of government officials, extortion, theft and is also under investigation in connection to at least one murder. This lawyer threatened the lives of numerous people as well as kidnapping. He paid the police to arrest people on false charges, paid off judges as well as prosecutors to prevent people from being able to take possession of the condos and land they bought from the Wilbur’s.
The Wilbur’s started life on Roatan with a small pizza shop, good old mum and pop sort of thing, and everyone liked them. They then used this reputation to start their real estate dealings. Within two years there was a list as long as your arm of families that had lost their entire life savings and families ripped apart as a consequence. Everyone here loved the Wilbur’s right up to the moment they felt the knife pushed into their backs. Consider yourselves warned!
whew…thank you…this raises a lot of questions,which I’ll follow up on…in my conversations with his local partner, I’ve been given a whole other angle…’innocent, the victim of ….’…unscrupulous islanders’…if you could/would, have any other victims wirte me…thanks/M
Many have started legal proceeding which can take years to get going, so they may be hesitant but I have past your request on. I hope they email you as his parent still live here and are still just as evil.
ANy chance your the same Michael Sherer who mades me tons of money as a Las Vegas appraiser?
yep…guilty as charged
Mike, I’ve still got all of the Costa Rica books you gave me before you left town to go to Frisco. How the hell are ya? Sounds like you’ve made life an adventure!
I am still slogging it out here in Vegas real estate. Happily married now for 2 years.
When I hit the lottery, Wanda and I are headed your way.
jeez..Bob Tracy! must’ve tracked me thru Louis Frias…you old loan guys never quit…I ‘saw the light’ in early ’08…said adios to everything, left with 3 suitcases and my golf clubs…Costa Rica books? after having been there now for some 35 times, the books are superflous…I’m writing a guide book about Antigua now…ebook first and then hard copy..fun? hell,ya…more adventures than i can shake my sword cane at, the women are beautiful, the weather’s perfect and I haven’t been back to the States…well, once and didn’t miss it..a tip..you really don’t need to win the Lottery…it’s cheap here(by comparison)..great to hear from an old friend…thanks/M
I actually responded to a friend through linkedin and somehow saw your name and remembered. I went so far as to create a corporation in Costa Rica using that attorney you referred me to, but my financial world imploded and I never followed up on anything. Been just surviving as a real estate agent since. But healthy and happy. Hook me up for hard copy of your book. Always wanted to visit Antigua. Is that home now for you?
ah…its a small small world..and yes, Antigua is home and a very fabulous home it is..I did the corp thing in CR and also Belize…CR rolled over for the IRS, as did Panama last year..imploded? yep..got it..I bailed in the nick of time…and being happy and healthy is all there is to life, as far as i’m concerned..i’m in on both accounts…no stress, no strain, no deadlines, no fucking underwriters who can’t spell appraisal..when the book is in print, it’ll be on Amazon. i’m poor but very very happy…walk two miles a day, saying hello to one and all on every block…’going off on a trip into the mountains soon, on a jade/maya artifact: hike my old ass in for 8 miles, spend 3 nights under the stars and hike out…shoot some photos, write about it, make a few bucks..used to be if i didn’t make a $1000 a day i was pissed..now if i make ten bucks, i’m thrilled..no, make that five..cleaning lady due any minute…she gets $3 and she’s thrilled)so am I…M
It will all be over before we know it, so I’m in for enjoying life.
About 5 years ago I imagined what was possible for me if I ever met a woman just like my dog. I did, so I married her and have never been happier.
I’d be interested to know what it means that CR rolled over for the irs. I haven’t paid them since 1997 and never will and can’t own anything anymore. Was sort of hoping there was some place to escape to one day. Not CR anymore?
CR and Panama signed off on what’s called the Tax Information Exchange Agreement…meaning that if the IRS has a specific name/individual, they can ask the govt for details…supposedly a CR corp doesnt meet that qualification…Society Anonymous and all that…unless you formed the corp in your name, there won’t be any look back or paper trail…yes, i knew that you were tax-adverse…they’ve got me on the hook for another 6 months, even after i left $170k on the table when i sold my house in Vegas/’06…Belize is the closest, safest bet…I have a shell corp there, which i’d sell cheaply…congrats on finding the perfect woman…all the bad ones are taken.M
I really laughed out loud, all the bad ones are taken. Between you and me I bet we had most of them!
Please let me know about your adventures from time to time.
You don’t know me well enough, but I’ve always wanted to live on a tropical island. Now, at least, I know someone who does.
I look forward to your book.
bob..you have the blog address, which should keep you on top of local stuff..the ‘island’..there is Antigua in Guatemala and the island Antigua, in the Caribbean…i’m in guate..4500 feet, three volcanoes, of which one goes off every day/night..when the book is out, you’re on the list..thanks..and yes, we’ve been thru more than our fair share of bimbos..m
Hi Michael,
I hope you don’t mind me commenting here.
I’ve come across your blog while searching for a long lost family member in Guatemala. You’ve mentioned him several times in your journals I think! Would you be able to email me directly please to see if I can make links? Thanks ever so, Emma
of course…whatever I can do, I will…
Thanks!
How do I contact you directly?
you got it…m
On Thu Jan 17 05:50:44 CST 2013, Our Man in Antigua
Ok, I thought a more private convo might be better, but I see you mention a Fred Haywood a few times in your blog. If he’s the guy I’m looking for, then he is my great uncle.
I’m wondering if he is still alive? And able to be contacted?
I’ve never met Freddie, but my grandmother (his sister) often talks about him and they used to speak occasionally via telephone over the years. Unfortunately she is now in a nursing home and unable to use the telephone. I would love to connect them again, perhaps via email if possible?
if its the same Fred Heywood, he’s a character and has a riding stable..alas, no email…i have a phone # M
On Thu Jan 17 09:43:13 CST 2013, Our Man in Antigua
Is this the Mike Sherer from Fremont, Ne that I worked at Shoppers Fair in the early Sixtys?
no tme…wasn’t there….sorry