The Tico Times Online

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 15, 2002

CLOSED: Padlocked doors greeted investors at Villalobos' San Pedro office yesterday
TT/Photo Julio Laínez

C.R. Hosts Regional Business Meetings with Spain
More than 100 representatives from different Spanish businesses met here yesterday with private-sector leaders from throughout Central America to inaugurate the two-day "Second Summit of Central American and Spanish Businesses."
(Click for more)

October 15

1st Anniversary of the Best Western Coco Verde Hotel and Casino
Reserve today! Fiesta starts on Fri., Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. with free bocas and drinks until 7:30 p.m. for all, 50% off our regular room rate on Friday. On Oct. 19, free ticket to Octoberfest at Monkey Bar with accommodations at hotel. On Oct. 31, Halloween Costume Party and Costume contest. Info: cocoverd@racsa.co.cr

Bingo to Benefit Children with Cerebral Palsg at Magdala Nursery Home
Buy your ticket today. Bingo is Fri., Oct. 18, 6 p.m., food court of the Multiplaza Mall, Escazú, prices include: a motorcycle, tickets to U.S. on American Airlines, stays at national hotels, gifts. Info: 289-8984, www.multiplazamall.com

Kandahar
Film on human suffering in Afganistan, a country destroyed by war, in English and Farsi with Spanish subtitles, every day, at 3, 5, 7, 9 p.m., at Sala Garbo, Av. 2, Ca. 28. Info: 222-1034, 223-1960.

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'Brothers' Investors Left in Confusion
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
Investors in Costa Rican businessman Luis Enrique Villalobos' high-yield personal-loan business -- known to its mostly foreign clients as "The Brothers" -- were left in confusion yesterday, when the operation's Mall San Pedro office was found closed with a note on the door saying "Closed for Reorganization, check the local newspapers for more information."

Rumors circulated during the day that Villalobos had issued a statement claiming he was closing his loan operation temporarily, until he regains access to his bank accounts, frozen in July by local authorities investigating charges that Ofinter, a money exchange house founded by him and his brother, had been used to launder Canadian drug money (TT, July 12).

However, Villalobos' lawyer Arnoldo Segura -- who said he last spoke with don Enrique on Friday -- claimed he knew nothing of such an announcement, and investors consulted by The Tico Times yesterday said they had not received any notice that shop was closing up. Villalobos had been paying interest as usual, but had told lenders they would have to wait to withdraw their principal (TT, Aug. 16).

Ron Tucker, an old friend of Villalobos, claims he believes the offices will be closed for only a few days.

Telephones at the closed office were not answered yesterday, and The Tico Times was unable to reach Villalobos on his cell phone.

Don't miss this Friday's TT print edition for entire story.
Note to TT readers: we want to hear from investors who have received interest payments from Villalobos after Oct. 7. Call 258-1558 and ask for Dave, or e-mail dboddiger@ticotimes.net

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Beached Whale Dies
Despite efforts to free a 6,600-pound six-meter-long whale that got beached on a sandbar in shallow water off Puntarenas last week, the young mammal died Sunday morning.

According to Diego Gutiérrez, a guard at the nearby Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, the whale presumably got separated from its mother and was disoriented.

Authorities are still trying to figure out how to move the dead whale off the sandbar.
-AFP

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Doctors Amputate Wrong Leg
A diabetic patient suffering from an ulcer in his left leg mistakenly had his right leg amputated by doctors of the Costa Rican Social Security System (Caja) Saturday, according to an official source.

José Francisco Moya, 49, awoke in his hospital bed in the Atlantic slope town of Turrialba to find his "good leg" had been amputated, forcing doctors to then amputate his left leg also.

The Caja's medical directorate is investigating the malpractice case, and Moya's family announced it plans to file charges.
-AFP

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