An interview with J. Duke Mosley

During the last several days there have been major changes at the UCCR and one of the most notable is the resignation of J. Duke Mosley from the executive board as vice-president and acting president in the last week.

So, who is J. Duke Mosley or Duke, as everyone has come to know him?

We had the opportunity this last Sunday night to chat with the man and hear what he has to say, not only about the UCCR but also his feelings and opinion on the whole Villalobos situation. His words can be best characterized by one phrase, “lead, follow or get out of the way!”  Duke is not only an investor. He has his last year to complete to become a medical doctor. The “Villalobos Freeze” has forced him to put those plans on hold, and has dedicated his all of his time an energies in helping his fellow investors recover their money and well as their lives.

His participation at the UCCR was from the beginning, when he a several other investors took the lead to organize a group who would take some active steps to expose the Costa Rica government of their actions and restore the good name of Enrique Villalobos Camacho.

His departure from the UCCR was a surprise to many and a good riddance to some. He tells us that he did not leave the group because he doesn’t believe in what they are doing, or their course of action, simply it was a difference of opinion with some board members, especially one that we refused to name.

He continues his fight through his other organization, the Global Studies Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CR_GSG/) and literally walking the halls of the criminal justice building – court house, meeting with lawyers and fellow investors,  to get any and all bits of information that can help Enrique Villalobos cleared and pay back his ‘friends’.

Some have characterized Duke as being arrogant. Others have less of an opinion of him. While others appreciate and know the time and work he has put in and not only for himself but for his fellow investors.

He sometimes comes off as arrogant, but this attitude comes from knowing the facts and not just dealing in speculation, rumors or gossip. When we asked him, why he comes off so arrogant, his reply was “I am just positive of what I know, the facts, and am not wanting to sound arrogant. It’s just that I rarely smile.”

When asked, does Enrique have the money? His answer and without waiver is a definite “yes”. “ But, I don’t believe he has the whole amount. He has most of it”.

We had many questions, some from our own personal notes and others from the flood of emails and letters we have gotten over the last few months, from investors, skeptics and critics alike.


ICR: Why did you leave the UCCR?
Duke: I left due to personal difference with one member of the board in particular. I tendered my resignation last Saturday before the meeting started, as I felt it un-appropriate to participate knowing I wanted out.

ICR: What will happen now to the UCCR without you there?
Duke: They will continue. It is important to hire José Miguel Villalobos and work for us.

ICR: Do you think the $200.000 fee that José Miguel Villalobos, the lawyer, is asking is too high?
Duke: No, not if he can get us the results and I believe he can.

ICR: What will happen if the money is not raised?
Duke: José Miguel Villalobos will not complete his work if he doesn’t get paid in full. The UCCR is focusing on raising the first $100.000 and that will get the lawyer started, but I know that he will just drop the case if the rest of the money is not there.

ICR: Are there any Ticos other than yourself on the UCCR board?
Duke: No, not really. And that is one point of contention. Any action that the investors take, be it the UCCR or any other group, has to include a Tico.

ICR: Please explain.
Duke: This is Costa Rica. The courts will not take too seriously some foreign investors taking action in court if there is no Tico as part of it. And the UCCR has made no effort to promote it’s work to the Tico investors, who for the most part, and according to the names I saw on the list (investor list) include some prominent Costarican families names.

ICR: If Enrique is vindicated and returns to Costa Rica, will he pay his investors?
Duke: That is up to him, but I think so.

ICR: Where is Enrique now?
Duke:  No one really knows.

ICR: Why haven’t we heard from Enrique?
Duke: We have. That is, he does talk to several people, whom I can’t name, on frequent basis. We need to keep pressing the government to either charge Enrique or drop the charges, so that he can then do what is right.

ICR: What do you mean charge him? Are there not outstanding charges?
Duke: No. He is only wanted for questioning. His lawyers made the first appearance. There are no charges on him now.

ICR: What about the Interpol warrant?
Duke: That is the same question Interpol has asked. They were surprised to learn that Costa Rica has no formal charges pending on Enrique, yet, he appears on their list.

ICR: What about Oswaldo?
Duke: I visit and talk to him regularly. He is happy that we are hiring José Miguel Villalobos. There are no charges on him either, but the government can keep him in preventive detention while they build their case for up to 24 months. He is ready for the long haul.

ICR: So, you have the investor list?
Duke: Yes, but it is with my lawyer (not named).

ICR: Do you plan on making it public
Duke: No. I don’t feel it’s the moral thing to do. Anyone who wants to know if their name is on the list, I will tell them yes or no.

ICR: What now?
Duke: I will continue my efforts through my group the Global Studies Group and help out any other group, including the UCCR, with whatever I can. We are in this together and no one person or group can do it on it’s own. We need to stay together, work together.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Duke, will be joining the insidecostarica.com with a weekly column. This week we will continue to publish more of our interview with Duke. We will setting a chatroom interview with Duke in the near future and will advise of the time and date.