Now comes news that Solís loaned many families monies so that they could finance their trip to the United States in hopes of making the "american dream" their reality.

Solís, lent money at interest rates as high as 3% per month to families so that they can pay "coyotes" who would get them to the U.S.

Solís had his loans office in the community of Pérez Zeledón, south of San José.

A recent report by local television news channel 7, detailed the frustrations of some the families who are now broke and homeless after having borrowed from Solís.

Nuria Valverde told channel 7 news reporters that "by means of a "coyote" they lent lent us money so that my husband could get to the United States. We paid more than a million colones in interest however we couldn't pay the rest. We spoke to him (Solís) so that we could have more time to pay, but he answered back that we would have 15 days to vacate our house..."

The news channel report related several stories of different families with similar experiences after having borrowed money from Solís. A 73 year old woman told her story of how her husband died following a strong depression after mortgaging their house to send one of their children to the U.S..

The news crew tried to interview Solís at his new office in La Contraloría General de la República, however, they received a written response that a legislative committee is running an investigation and it is prudent to abstain from speaking on this (loans) subject.

The news crew, with cameras rolling, were thrown out of the offices of friends of
Solís who are the alleged "coyotes" in San Isidro de General, south of San José and near Pérez Zeledón.

The news team dug deeper and found at least two corporations linked to the Solís family, Ganadera Amanecer Talamanca and Reforestadora El Chirripó, who, according to their records, loaned more than 300.000.000 colones between the period of 1998 to 2001.

It is not clear from the records if all of the loans were to families who were paying the "coyotes", however, it is believed that the majority of the loans were for such.

The news team also found that Solís' current secretary, Magda Salazar Obando, in his law office in Pérez Zeledón is listed as a lender, holding loan notes for more than 100.000.000 colones. And, in the Pérez Zeledón there exist some 83 cases of eviction for failure to pay the mortgage, claims by the same law office and people holding the notes.
 

California Man Arrested for Sex With Minor in Costa Rica
A Santa Cruz, California, man has been arrested and charged for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old boy while in Costa Rica on a Peace Corps mission, authorities said Thursday.

Timothy Obert, 36, was indicted Wednesday by a U.S. federal grand jury in San Jose, California, on one count of "traveling in foreign commerce and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with another person," according to the U.S. Justice Department's San Francisco office.

Obert was charged under a new type of federal "sex tourism" law enacted last year.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, Obert repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children, prosecutors said.

While on mission last year in Costa Rica, Obert gave the 14-year-old boy money, drugs and alcohol in conjunction with the sex acts, authorities said.

Obert remains jailed without bail and has a detention hearing set for next Monday.

For Former President, the Culmination of a Lifetime of Diverse Experiences
Miguel Angel Rodriguez Echeverria, the former president of Costa Rica, sat up straight at his spotless desk, ready for prime time. His choice of clothing, a navy blue blazer, a blue-and-white striped starched shirt and gold cuff links, suggested a penchant for perfection, discipline and diligence. Full Story
 

Underground Solutions Announces Latin American Licensing Deal With Durman Esquivel
Underground Solutions, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA, announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement and strategic alliance with Durman Esquivel S.A. of Costa Rica to produce and market the Company's proprietary infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement products and services throughout Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.

Durman Esquivel is rapidly becoming the regional leader in the growing Latin American plastic pipe, construction products and services industry.

Founded in 1959, Durman Esquivel is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of PVC and other thermoplastic pipe in Latin America. Durman Esquivel is presently the dominant manufacturer and distributor of PVC and other thermoplastic pipe in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama and shares the leading market position in Mexico. In addition,
Durman Esquivel has an established presence in South America, with
manufacturing facilities in Colombia, Peru and in the Dominican
Republic.

Mark A. Smith, Underground Solutions' CEO stated, "We are very
excited about our new relationship with Durman Esquivel. Under the leadership of Francis Durman, President and CEO of Durman Esquivel, the company is aggressively working to position itself as the technological leader throughout the Latin American infrastructure industry.

Alleged Mob Soldier Accused in Operation Linked to Costa Rica
Six men, including one alleged soldier in the New York Bonnano crime family, were arrested yesterday in connection with a $10-million sports gambling ring that prosecutors said used an offshore wire room in Costa Rica and then funneled the action to various locations on Long Island, including an Island Park bar and a Brookhaven Town golf course in Rocky Point.

John "Johnny Mulberry" Sciremammano, 47, who recently completed probation for a U.S. federal racketeering conviction, allegedly ran the operation out of the Skybox Lounge in Island Park. Sciremammano, of Shoreham, is a "made soldier" of the Bonnano organized crime family, said Suffolk Deputy Insp. James Burke, who ran the investigation.

Sciremammano's attorney, James DiPiertro of Brooklyn, said, "Mr. Sciremammano denies any affiliation with any organized crime family. The only family I know of is his mother, father, wife and child who were present in the courtroom."

Bettors typically placed their bets by telephone to an offshore wire room in Costa Rica. The wire room recorded their bets and transmitted them to runners on Long Island. Payoffs then were made at the Skybox Lounge, the golf course and other places such as private homes and cars.

While betting is not illegal under New York State law, profiting from gambling is.

Bettors also could play Joker Poker machines, which are illegal video poker machines, at the Skybox Lounge. Bettors put cash in the machines, played the game and if the bettor won, the machine issued credits that could be redeemed at the bar.

Casa Tranquila Opens in Costa Rica
Casa Tranquila, the stunning estate built on the pristine Northwest coast of Costa Rica, announces its opening.

Owned by record mogul Michael Catain, this very private retreat offers an unparalleled experience in Guanacaste, one of the country's most beautiful regions.

Just 40 minutes from Liberia airport, Casa Tranquila is perched on a bluff high above the sand of a secluded beach. It borders the misty Mt. Arcola and wildlife-filled jungles on one side and the inviting Pacific on the other. On the lush grounds, no expense was spared in the appointments of the two main residences: La Casa, the three-bedroom main house and La Casita, the smaller, one-bedroom romantic cottage. Both, resplendent with teak ceilings, imported Italian porcelain, stone countertops and an inviting "Tico" touch, offer much more than a "home away from home." There's also a giant jacuzzi, replete with waterfalls, or a seemingly endless infinity pool to soothe the spirit.

A personal assistant is available to help plan guests' days, as this perfect location opens countless possibilities. Book a trek in the nearby national park, mountain bike volcanos, glide over the jungle canopy, scuba dive or golf at the local Robert Trent Jones II course (one of four in the area). Also, there is always sitting poolside with drink in hand, or walking Conchal, recently named by Travel & Leisure (June 2004) as one of the country's best beaches.

From now until the end of October, Casa Tranquila presents its Green Season and introductory rates. These are tempting prices for travelers who want to experience a unique Costa Rica.

News Briefs

• Almost 1 million Costa Ricans have regular connection to the Internet from home, work, school or cafes, according to Radiografica Costarricense (Racsa). The report by Racsa, said the country has experienced constant growth in Internet service at a rate of more than 10 percent annually, and now 24 percent of the population has access to the Internet. The report said in just one year, the country's traffic on the Internet increased by 60 percent.
   
• The ministers of the Environment of Congo and Gabon visited Costa Rica and took back to Africa with them the "recipe" used by the Central American nation to protect her natural resources. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of the Environment, Henry Djombo -from Congo- and Emile Doumba -from Gabon- for two days gathered in Costa Rica ideas on how to manage the Congo River Basin, the second largest world forested area, after the Amazon Basin.