Comments on: UPDATE: Former president Laura Chinchilla loses civil, criminal case against businessman

By: SarongGoddess

SarongGoddess — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:45:00 +0000

So has anyone PROVEN that what all he “claimed” she did was truth??

By: Ken Morris

Ken Morris — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 02:47:00 +0000

Wow. I’m surprised. I thought Chinchilla had a case, but a unanimous opinion against her–and fast?

I think I therefore agree with both mhogan and expatin paradise. With expatin paradise, I have to wonder why they even have laws, since judges seem free to disregard them. With mhogan, though, I would conclude that YMMV. You or I (athough I’m not sure that national origin matters) may well not see the same verdict if we’re in a similar case. Precedent I understand means nothing in CR, so tomorrow a court could reach another decision.

I can’t believe it, but I actually feel sorry for Chinchilla now. I’m not sure what I wanted out of this case, and probably didn’t want her to win, or at least win big bucks, but I’m not comfortable with her being humiliated like this. I think she was unjustly defamed, and just because she was a bad president, I believe she is entitled to her honor. The judges spit on her.

By: Timothy Williams

Timothy Williams — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 19:04:00 +0000

As an interesting side note, Baldi now has the right to sue Chinchilla for the cost of his defense.

By: mhogan

mhogan — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:50:00 +0000

Congrats Mr. Rodriguez Baldi. Guess I have to eat my words that he’d lose. Of course, she can still appeal. But it’s a darn good sign that people may have better opportunities to express opinions; however, doubt it would apply if the defendant was not a lawyer (and a Tico) and the plaintiff was not a politician. And yes, in Costa Rica, laws are enforced nilly willy … depending on whim or influence. That’s one thing that makes living here so frustrating. Expats get away with zilch but a Tico doing the same thing — different story. Then again, perhaps he had an ace up his sleeve — proof! Just for everyone out there who wants to be careless in words or speech, please don’t take this a carte blanche. It was probably a roll of the dice for the defendant … this time.

By: costarick

costarick — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:01:00 +0000

In my opinion, this entire lawsuit was merely the ex-President lashing out at any criticism for being voted the worst President in Office in Latin America during her term and probably the worst President and Administration ever in the history of Costa Rica. It is probably better that she just go quietly.

By: expatin paradise

expatin paradise — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 16:51:00 +0000

This ruling flies in the face of the existing law. While it is good policy to create a different rule for public figures (not just politicians), that is not the law of Costa Rica. Some times I wonder why we have written laws here, since the courts don’t feel bound to apply them.

By: roberto

roberto — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 16:16:00 +0000

9am. Not Guilty. The unanimous judgment of the court was in favor of Mr. Rodriguez Baldi.