Police and investigators Thursday arrested a disbarred lawyer who is wanted in New York to serve a sentence for real estate fraud.

Agents identified the man as Brett K. Lurie, who was convicted in New York in July 1994 on a range of charges involving his management of real estate properties.

Investigators arrested him at what police said was a luxurious dwelling facing the beach in Jacó. Involved were the Judicial Investigating Organization, Agents from the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública and representatives of the International Police Agency (INTERPOL).

According to court filings:

In 1989 and 1990, Lurie was the sponsor, manager and majority shareholder of five cooperative apartment buildings in Queens County, N. Y. As financial officer for the buildings, Lurie failed to make monthly payments on the mortgage, failed to pay for building maintenance, water, heating oil or taxes (with the exception of a $15,000 maintenance payment to himself), wrote checks to himself from the buildings' accounts in the amount of $435,000, ran up debts and obligations to the cooperatives that by October 1990 exceeded $1.8 million, and filed with the state an amendment to 

Brett K. Lurie

On April 25, 1996, Lurie was convicted by a jury in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, which is a trial court there. He faced sentencing on eight counts of conducting a scheme to defraud in the first degree, nine counts of intentional real estate securities fraud, three counts of grand larceny in the second degree, three counts of grand larceny in the third degree and one

When he was disbarred by the N.J. Supreme Court in March 2000, he did not appear at the hearing, the court said. He was listed as living in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., then. Police said he turned up in Costa Rica a short time later.

He faces consecutive prison terms for from one to four years on a number of the counts, according to court records.

Impending war with Iraq generates worries mostly over Costa Rica’s links with the rest of the world.

Some people  think Costa Rica is too far from the battlefield to be affected, others disagree and claim the whole world, no matter a country’s location, is going to suffer.

Alejandro López, an executive at Communicacion Corporativa de Centroamerica, said he believes the whole world will be affected. López said his firm handles, among other industries, airline public relations, and that industry in particular looks like a prime target of the war’s ripples.

López points to the likely direct effects of war with Iraq, ones already well documented: that a war in the Middle East invariably affects oil prices. Much to the dismay of the consumer, one effect is higher fuel prices.

Complaints among motorists are widespread. Thursday, bus drivers in San José briefly went on strike to protest rises in fuel prices caused by the threat of a war in the Middle East.

Air passengers may be forced to pay higher prices in the face of raised costs to airlines.

"If planes are not going to take off because of fuel, that is a problem. Latin America could be very affected," said López.

López said it is not just passenger aviation that is affected but also cargo. Costa Rica exports a lot to the United States and Europe, and the threat of war could potentially affect the shipments, he said.

Though diplomats are quick to dismiss the effects the war could have on trading between nations, López says: "Transport will be affected, especially for trading between nations.

"If you don’t have petrol from the Middle East, prices will go up and up and up. It’s a very 
complicated situation that affects the global

The problems extend from tourism to food to domestic travel, across the whole spectrum, said López.

Oriel Willock, second secretary at the British Embassy, is less worried about threats to the consumer.

"It wouldn’t be a surprise to me if there are dangers," he said in reference to the shipment of goods between nations. "But we are not stressing this because it is not our main issue."

Willock said there are always dangers in wartime. He said financial markets tied into oil prices always cause problems. But he says the main priority is for the removal of the Hussein administration and the liberation of the Iraqi people.

For companies providing transportation there is real concern. In addition to the threat of airplanes’ grounding due to a lack of fuel, there is also the issue of consumer confidence in air travel.

López said that bookings are certainly down for upcoming weeks among airlines. And, he said, there is a noticeable decrease in the amount of traveling done by normally regular passengers across all airlines.

Everything goes back to Sept. 11, 2001, said López, that triggered airlines bankruptcies. He said this war just amplifies this situation.

Willock, too, said terrorism has been an issue for some time. He said the measures are already in place to deal with potential threats.

Gabriela Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Alterra Partners Costa Rica, which is responsible for the administration of Juan Santamaría Airport, said that security measures are in place, according to international stipulations and additional government procedures.

"We can’t know what will happen in [coming] weeks but we can anticipate," said López.

CARACAS, Venezuela — The army here says it plans to send more troops to the border with Colombia, where Colombian rebel groups are believed to operate. 

Warrikc Blanco, army general, said Thursday the plans call for reinforcing the 5000 soldiers already patrolling the country's northwestern border. 

The statements come one day after Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported that rebel groups have set up bases here. The newspaper said leftist Colombian guerrillas and right-wing paramilitaries are both active in Venezuela. 

Roy Chaderton, minister of foreign relations, denied the report on Wednesday, calling it totally false. He said the government has received no information to support the claims. 

Colombia has been torn apart by a 39-year civil war that pits the rebels, paramilitaries and the government against each other. Some 3,500 people, mainly civilians, are killed in the fighting each year.

Minister fears for life
of Venezuelan leader

CARACAS, Venezuela —Roy Chaderton, minister of foreign relations, says he fears an attempt may be made to assassinate President Hugo Chavez.

Chaderton Wednesday accused the media here and other countries of calling for the murder of Chavez. He also alleged that political opponents of Chavez have pushed for an assassination.

Chaderton did not immediately provide evidence to support his allegations.

Chaderton made the comments to reporters in the Colombian capital Bogotá, where he attended a meeting of foreign and defense ministers of seven Latin American countries.

The nations on Wednesday signed a pledge to work together to combat terrorism and drug trafficking. The meeting included officials from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

President's campaign for office is under suspicion

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — The Congress here has asked President Vicente Fox to name an independent prosecutor to investigate charges of money laundering during his presidential campaign. 

Lawmakers passed the measure Wednesday, calling for the investigation to be moved out of the office of the Attorney General, who was appointed by Fox. Supporters of the bill said the move was needed to ensure a fair investigation. 

Members of Fox's party, the National Action Party, criticized the decision, saying there is no evidence showing the attorney general should not lead the case. 

The probe is related to charges against the so-called "Friends of Fox" group, which helped raise campaign funds in the 2000 election. 

The congressional measure comes one day after the former ruling party, Institutional Revolutionary Party, faced fines for improper campaign fundraising. 

Mexico's Federal Elections Committee agreed Tuesday to penalties of nearly $100 million against the party. A final decision on the fines is expected on Friday.

Dissidents ask EU to stop new Cuban privileges 

HAVANA, Cuba — A group of dissidents is calling on the European Union to exclude the country from joining an agreement that offers trade advantages and help to developing nations. 

The dissidents include human rights activist Vladimiro Roca. They sent the request Wednesday to Poul Nielson, union development commissioner, who opened a new office here earlier this week. 

The dissidents say the country should be barred from the union's Cotonou Agreement on the grounds that President Fidel Castro's administration violates human rights. 

There was no immediate response from Nielson or the government. Union officials have said it is not clear if they will approve the country's bid to join the Cotonou Agreement. 

Some union states, such as Britain and Sweden, say Cuba has not shown advances toward democratic reforms under President Castro. 

The union is the country's largest trade and investment partner. Reports say that the move to open the new union office could significantly increase European aid to the communist-run country.

Police told to release
rights activist in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A prosecutor has ordered police to free a prominent women's rights activist and her husband who have been jailed since Sunday on charges of illegal weapons possession. 

Carline Simon and her husband, Serge, were taken into custody in the seaside town of La Saline after police allegedly found an unlicensed weapon in their vehicle. Their lawyer says the couple has not been formally charged. 

Police say the couple was detained after local residents reported that an armed group was threatening the two and other activists at a meeting on women's rights. 

The bus strikes that affected Costa Rica Thursday morning will not be repeated today, according to bus company owners.

The strikes Thursday affected many people, a number of whom couldn’t make work or school on time. The strikes were in protest at the recent rises in fuel prices, triggered by the impending war on Iraq and the failure of the government to give rate hikes the bus operators wanted.

Bus companies want the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, responsible for the fixing of prices of certain public services, to raise bus tariff prices to counter the profit losses incurred because of the rises in fuel prices. 

Some schools were closed for much of the morning, although the strike was far from universal. Some commuters got together and hired a taxi while others just skipped work.
 

Professional Directory A.M. Costa Rica's professional directory is where business people who wish to reach the English-speaking community may invite responses. If you are interested in being represented here, please contact the editor. Psychiatrists Dr. Luis Carlos Sancho Torres   bilingual psychiatrist (UCR) • consulting • depression  • schizophrenia  • psychiatric disability VA Affairs • evaluations for gun permits   • bipolar disorders • addictions  • methadone Available 24-hour a day children and adults office: 233-7782 beeper: 233-3333 lucasancho@yahoo.com Lawyers INVESTMENT RECOVERY CENTER Learn how to best protect your interests in the Villalobos case. Explore your options at http://www.irccr.net Also, we invite you to join one of the most active discussion groups on the case.  Find out what people who care are saying. Join at irccr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 232-8/16/03 Lic. Arcelio Alberto Hernández Mussio Attorney at Law, Notary Public Official Translator Corporate, Criminal, Constitutional, Family Practice. Property title searches and transfers. Official English/Spanish translation & interpretation We also offer the following services in association with Morning Star Investments CRI, S.A.: *Real Estate Investment opportunities *Money Management *Accounting Services e-mail: legalxpt@racsa.co.cr           Web: www.forovial.com Cell: 365-3088  132-5/29/ KEARNEY-LAWSON & Asoc.       Lic. Gregory Kearney Lawson, attorney at law Villalobos and Savings Unlimited Collections *Investments  *Corporations  *Real Estate Sales in Costa Rica *Tax Shelters  *Immigration *Intellectual Property     *Business procedures *Family and Labor Law     *Locate People *Private Investigations        Ph/Fax: 221-9462, 394-7007 gkearney_lawson@hotmail.com attorneykearney@yahoo.com Real estate agents MARGARET SOHN  of Carico 15 years Costa Rican real estate experience Member of the Costa Rican Real Estate Association, Lic. #1000  Member, Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce margaret@caricohenderson.com www.realtorcostarica.com (506) 232-5016 home   (506) 233-8057 office  (506) 382-7399 cell  229-8/9/03 Investments Investigators Empresa de Investigadores Internacionales S.A. Telephone (506) 280-5217  FAX (506) 280-5120 P.O. Box 297-2100 Costa Rica Cédula Juridica #3-101-097681-32 investigators@prodigy.net johnniechaverri@policeone.com 112-5/18/03 Web Design Personalized Web Design •Hosting •Promotion •Logo Design Prices so reasonable they will astound you Call for a quote:  220-4602 www.alegria-webdesign.com We have over 12 years international experience 214-7/14/03

April 15 is the deadline for U.S. taxpayers to choose the Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative of the Internal Revenue Service.

And the IRS is making it clear that the initiative is available for anyone involved in an offshore financial arrangement whether or not the arrangement involved a credit card.

The IRS announced the initiative last Jan. 14 as part of an attack on offshore credit cards held by U.S. taxpayers. That led to confusion in which some thought only persons involved with credit cards could use the initiative.

Now the IRS has made it clear that the initiative program is available to taxpayers who have avoided taxation through offshore financial arrangements, including those with foreign banks, financial institutions, corporations, partnerships, trusts, or other entities.

The broad definition by the IRS includes those U.S. investors with the failed Villalobos or Savings Unlimited high-interest operations who did not pay income tax on the monthly interest payments. Under the initiative, eligible taxpayers who step forward will not face civil fraud and information return penalties, but the taxpayers will still have to pay back taxes, interest and certain accuracy or delinquency penalties, said the IRS.

The IRS said that it will listen to possible payment plan options based on the taxpayer’s ability to pay. That is a benefit for investors in the Costa Rican high-interest schemes because they lost access to their capital when the operations shut down.

Luis Enrique Villalobos Camacho, the principal operator, is an international fugitive wanted on fraud and money-laundering allegations. His brother, Oswaldo, was been remanded to prison this week for three more months while prosecutors continue the complex investigation. Prosecutors also are moving to seize the Villalobos corporation assets that remain in Costa Rica, some $7 million.

Savings Unlimited folded the weekend of Nov. 22 when operator Louis Milanes left town. He, too, is the target of an international arrest warrant.

Villalobos may have had $1 billion in investor assets on his books. Milanes might have had as much as $240 million.

To be eligible the IRS has said the request to participate in the initiative must be filed before the taxpayer comes under civil examination or criminal investigation and before the IRS has information that directly points to the taxpayer's compliance problems. Eligible taxpayers must not have promoted the tax schemes and cannot be involved in other illegal activity, the IRS said.

The Villalobos operation required a new depositor to obtain a recommendation from a current participant. But providing such introductions would not seem to make a U.S. taxpayer ineligible. The IRS identified a promoter as:

"a taxpayer who has promoted or solicited, or, in any way, facilitated the participation of others (other than members of the taxpayer's immediate
family, or of individuals for whom the taxpayer did not receive compensation of more than a nominal amount) in arrangements to avoid taxation by using offshore payment cards, offshore financial arrangements, or any other abusive transaction, domestic or offshore. . . ."

U.S. officials here have said they are unaware of any tax investigations triggered by the collapse of Villalobos or Savings Unlimited. However, the IRS said it would refuse to let a taxpayer participate in the initiative if an investigation already has been started. The IRS has 30 days to say so.

Some private accountants are urging clients to avoid participating in the IRS program. They reason that the chances of ever being caught cheating on a tax return are small.

Some taxpayers do not like the requirement that those who participate must turn in friends and associates. As part of the request to participate, the taxpayer must provide full details on those who promoted or solicited the offshore financial arrangement, said the IRS.

U.S. citizens who live outside the United States can exempt up to $80,000 in overseas earned income from their tax liability each year. But interest income may not be excluded. 

More information about the IRS initiative program is available at the IRS Web page.

This newspaper seeks the prompt return of two men who ran high-interest investment operations that have gone out of business.

Luis Enrique Villalobos Camacho, 62, was associated with Ofinter S.A., a money exchange house, and with his own private investment business that had about $1 billion in other people’s money on the books.

Villalobos closed his business Oct. 14 and vanished.

Louis Milanes operated Savings Unlimited and several casinos in San José. He left the country with other members of his firm the weekend of Nov. 23. He may have as much as $260 million in his possession. Both operations catered to North Americans.

Villalobos and Milanes are the subjects of international arrest warrants.  Associates of both men have been jailed.

A.M. Costa Rica has posted a $500 reward for information leading to the detention of either man with the hopes that others will make similar pledges. The newspaper believes that investors only will see some of their money when the two men are in custody.

Milanes has few supporters in San José. On the other hand, as the letters frequently on this page show, Villalobos still has supporters who believe that he will reappear and settle his debts. They believe he is in hiding because of a predatory Costa Rican government.