Canadian developer Kevin Fleming, Chairman of Grupo Mariana, claims he is being “unlawfully detained in Nicaragua.”
On Feb. 4, Fleming was notified by Nicaraguan immigration authorities that he is prohibited from leaving the country due to a pending defamation case filed against him in Managua by Ted Cole, one of the investors in the Seaside Mariana project.
“After routinely checking in with the airline, Fleming was notified by the immigration officer that departure from Nicaragua was not possible because there was an immigration restriction notice from the Central Immigration Office,” Fleming wrote in a voluminous email explanation that he claims he sent to 25,000 people around the world this morning.
Fleming’s missive goes to list in detail why he considers the lawsuit and immigration restriction against him irregular and illegal. A preliminary hearing for the defamation case was originally scheduled for Feb. 8, but was canceled at the last moment. No new court date has been set, says Fleming, who is staying in Managua with friends of family.
In the meantime, Fleming, who spent years trying to promote Nicaragua as part of his marketing campaign for Seaside Mariana—an embattled development project planned for Nicaragua’s central Pacific coast—is now waging a campaign claiming the country he formerly promoted is now holding him against his will.
Fleming’s family members are also getting involved. Jennifer Ostler, Fleming’s cousin, wrote an email this morning to Canada’s Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy, who was in Managua last week to announce a new $8 million aid package for Nicaragua, calling on her to “speak to Nicaraguan officials about the irregularities of this detention so that he can return to Vancouver to be with his family.”
The defamation case against Fleming was born out of the heated back-and-forth that he had with Cole in the wake of other fraud allegations and the decisions by Wyndham Hotel Group and Nicklaus Design to terminate their contracts with Seaside Mariana due to concerns about the project’s legal troubles and slow progress. Fleming and Cole got into several heated exchanges online, including in the comments thread of The Nicaragua Dispatch’s Dec. 13 article on the Wyndham and Nicklaus pullout.
Cole, who lives in Managua, claims his lawsuit against Fleming is the first of more to come.
“Kevin has lost his grip on the truth and making it up on the fly and trying to sell his version of events to bring him credibility,” Cole told The Nicaragua Dispatch in an email. “Within a week or two, there will be many lawsuits filed.”
Fleming, meanwhile, claims it is the plaintiff that has become desperate.
“We’re not very surprised at the desperate actions of the plaintiffs and threats of their attorney to bring criminal action against Kevin Fleming,” Fleming wrote in another one of his famously lengthy emails to investors last week. “Having one’s back to the wall can bring out a viciousness that is frightening to witness. And that is exactly what we’re seeing from their recent actions in Nicaragua.”
Despite the ongoing troubles surrounding Grupo Mariana, Fleming claims the problems are due to “illegalities” and “falsehoods” that he thinks he can clear up to allow the Seaside Mariana project to move forward.
Fleming writes in his email to investors, “We look forward to setting the record straight so we can turn our attention to the most important thing: The still beautiful oceanfront property of Seaside Mariana and how we regroup and move forward.”
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Really??? here we go AGAIN? right back into the public forum.
sorry comment was to be posted on story regarding Union fenosa, please ignore
Tim (or anybody else in the know), how much money are these people arguing over? I tried reading the comments in the linked-to thread and see amounts of $400k to $2 million, but my English-reading comprehension might not be up to par.
So my question is: are the “top” developers in Nicaragua really arguing over this kind of (relatively) chump change?
It is about time they put Fleming on the stand the whole deal is a scam like his other project, Isla Mariana in Salines near Leon. This guy beleives his own BS he has been saying it for so long. I feel sorry for Nicaragua and the investors who will bear the brunt of HIS mess.
In sales mode, Kevin claims $21 million us dollars collected from seaside and 5 million from isla Mariana. Under scrutiny, it changed to $11.7 million from seaside and 4 ish million from isla Mariana . He been working since 2005. No basic services worth mentioning at either site . Such as road, electricity or water. Holding him in Nica to answer some questions seems reasonable to me.
Kris, you are so right! Very well said.
Do you think Kevin has any idea or concern for the people he hurt? Hasnt he destroyed some peoples life savings, there retirement, their ability to help their families? He feels wronged being held there but does he have any idea of how much he wronged others?
Cypress, next time you come to Nicaragua let me know how you feel when you are detained for no reason because someone has influenced a judge. This country is not safe for anyone. Their legal system is: your guilty until proven innocent. The Kevin story sounds like a witch hunt to me.
Doesnt that depend on how you define ‘no reason’?
as one who experienced the power of nica gov, my home was stormed
items confiscated which were all obtained/registerd legally with inc.
after at least 12 breakins, more bars than a correction facility ,constant traffic stops with $$ paid each time under threat of confiscated my car ,
decided to run and never look back, employed 12 nicas in the remodel of my home ,continued to give aid to anyone asking for help, it became obvious ,we were not wanted , we would never be one of them , the never ending stream of $$ going out , it also became clear ,the so called cheap cost of living in nicaland was in reality not cheap at all.
spent 8 years trying to make it our home, if you are a newcomer to nicaland , let me tell you ,at some point you will leave. hopefully it will be before you’ve lost most of what you came with, how sad ,such a beautiful country , to bad the people don’t want to rise out of the whole they are in ,look around the countyside ,how any years would it take to pull nicaragua out of that poverty, 10 years? no way 20 ,maybe but as long as the citizens are content being given a chicken, pig, or a sheet of tin , they will stay in that state of horrible poverty, content to sit in the doorways waiting for their relatives in the usa to send them $$ , most of them are lazy, holding out their hands to be fed them biting the hand that feeds them. thats my opinion, now will wait for the scathing remarks which will come my way. at least no one needs to tell me to leave if i don’t like the country, i did and am so happy to be out of there.
This guy believed the story about cork sinking and rocks floating in Nicaragua. Well…no. You can’t build a resort with no money, not even in Nicaragua. I saw the paperwork at the very beginning and it was doomed to fail, but not because someone made a mistake or didn’t know what was doing financially, it was because everything was created to cheat people out of their money. He was selling way too cheap and was putting tons of money on crazy marketing campaigns around the US and Canada just to bring more people in. Afterwards he was smart enough to give $1 mill to Nicklaus which took his money and “stamped” the project. This was enough to lure a second wave of “investors”. At the end of the day, in a way even people who gave this guy money are somewhat at fault, some by greed some by ignorance granted. A little homework – checking actual construction prices per sq ft at the time in that area would have shown that his margin was too low considering that he was in middle of nowhere with no infrastructure. He just made a deal for that land – which by the way had nothing special – and used all the money to throw star dust at everyone’s eyes. Well..as the old saying goes “if it looks too good to be true, it probably isn’t”. Until now this was a problem between a crook and the people he screwed. Now he is going to start playing the “corrupt legal system/country” card and real investors are going to have to pay the price. That’s the really sad part of this story.
You must be from Nicaragua, you sound like most locals, non-beleivers in your their own country. It is sad that locals would want their country to remain the poorest in the western hemisphere, and prevent people from visiting. It truly has something special to offer, and to date I can only think of Kevin Fleming going public bringing Nicaragua to the investors, bringing developers to the country, and promoting a country for tourism without government money or support. Nicaragua celebrated 1000,000 tourists last year, how many of those got their first look at the country through Kevins promoting.
I don’t know you Carlos but your facts are wrong. Tell me what the difference is between Seaside Mariana and Milagro del Mar in 2007 marketing and selling condos?
At Milagro del Mar, 50% of the building was sold before 2008 and constructions started and then was stopped for lack of funds.
Is Roger Keeling a fraud because his marketing campaign fell short to raise the funds for construction and his building sat deserted for 4 years on the beach rusting away?
You seem to have all the answers, so why don’t you enlighten us with the depth of your knowledge.
Cypress are you saying that its acceptable for a government to restrict you from leaving a country in order to allow individuals time to make a case against them manipulating the system and paying people off? If so, you will fit right in Nicaragua. I guess you must live there.
I don’t see how anyone will want to invest in this country if there are no laws. This could happen to anyone even you Cypress.
Josh, you act like Kevin was a casual tourist who got detained. If Nicaragua is the lawless place like you say didnt that work to kevin’s advantage for 7 years? Could he have pulled off these kind of financial shenangans in Canada? The lawlessness in Nicaragua isnt working in Kevins favor anymore but now working againast him. Double edge sword.
I can’t say this enough. Opulent beach & golfresorts are landscape cancer. I hope the beautiful Nica beaches stay healthy.
If I was going to invest thousands of dollars in a 3rd world country the first question I would ask: where is the closest hart defibrillator? One hour away in Managua! (I asked at the Health Center in Masachapa)
Just saying…..
Lola,
By North American standards, that is a good question. One that I have never even thought about. It wasn’t too long ago in North America that AEDs were uncommon, and only found in certain places. Now you can find them in most public places and large businesses. Its probably due to our poor health, and in Nica I don’t think they have the same health issues we are facing, food is more pure, fruit is fresh.
When I’m in a small village somewhere in the 3rd world, my first question is always: “So who’s the local neurosurgeon?”
My sentiments lean toward those of Carlos and Erik. I have no idea what this guy is about–or whether he’s being wrongfully detained–but there is an unmistakable stink about him. Even if he’s squeaky clean, which I doubt, the very project he pitched is bad for Nicaragua. Pitching and failing at a bad project doesn’t justify denying him basic rights, and I hope if he’s clean he can go home with only failed ambitions, but I suspect that he’s worse than a failed dreamer. At minimum the guy needs to hire an expert to handle his PR, because he’s not doing a super job on his own. Right now he’s presenting himself as a snake oil salesman in a poor country and asking for pity. I don’t have a lot of that left in my drawer for guys like he appears to be.
Ken, I dont think even the best PR team or group of writers in the world can help this guy. Facts say it all. You cant be a real estate developer without developing the land. Kevin took millions of dollars from people and did not deliver even the most basic things to makes the lots usable and the condos are nowhere to be seen. Kevin dug his own hole and no one else can get him out.
Cypress and Ken
Let’s given kevin 4 years to figure out financing and see if he can accomplish the same thing as Milagro del Mar after that project was stopped for lack of financing.
You guys are a joke. There is no way I will let rogue statements like the ones you are making go unaswered. People keep talking about millions taken in but 50% of the funds went to purchase the land and the money was not handed to Fleming at once. It was given to Fleming in bits and pieces over time and with the funds the best decisions were made at the time to advance the project.
I might feel differently about the situation if someone just walked up and handed Fleming 14M and 6 years later you see no construction but that is not the case.
Now, you see construction at Guacalito but they have 40MM in debt. Now, you see construction at Milagro del Mar, and they will be 15MM in debt. I read the public release of the complete hotel costing 48MM, does Roger have this money today. I think not…Does it make him a fraud to advertise the completion of a project in stages over time but not having the money today to complete what he is advertising.
Seems to me he needs to make a lot of sales or run the risk of losing everything. We all know what happens when the banks don’t get paid.
Please everyone, wake up.
Its endless the fraud conducted in Nicaragua by these individuals. I remember one developer who told me he arrived in Nicaragua with a few thousands dollars, and now owned thousands of acres. His secret, was to use other peoples money. Sell the dream, he knew that the infrastructure would only be built if he could keep the ponzi scheme working.
Mike
If you feel this way, please let us know your full name and legal address so you can be served for slander.
If not, you are nobody anyone should be listening to. Your comments serve no purpose but to incite peopel to riot against Fleming.
more nica BS. I’d love to see which of their laws provides that you can imprison a foreigner for a PRIVATE civil matter. and yes, prohibiting a person from leaving the country is imprisonment. i’m fairly certain that nicaragua does not even have a law that provides for imprisoning someone AFTER they lose a civil trial and have a judgment against them. so as someone else stated previously, this is nothing more than yet another example of illegal, corrupt abuse of power. i’d bet some sandinista lost some money in this whole nonsense and that’s where the “no exit” bs is coming from.
No one has been imprisoned. They’re just not allowing the scammer to leave until his legal issues get resolved. Sounds like he’s gonna need some better lawyers
ok Billy, whaddaya call it when you’ve been locked in a country not your own WITHOUT due process? a basic precept of all law is freedom, including the freedom of movement in between countries. of course, countries may and do enact laws regarding immigration. however, the fact that a civil case has been filed against a person–foreign national or not–does not create a legitimate right in the government to restrict travel. no civilized country has a law on the books prohibiting travel as a result of a pending civil action.
as for the possibility that the case “may become a criminal case” BS. plain and simple. nicaragua has a criminal code and criminal prosecutors. this is not a new matter and they’ve had YEARS to investigate and bring criminal charges. they have not.
this is a gross abuse of state power and i pray that canada freezes the new 8 million dollar “aid package” unless and until its citizen is allowed to leave.
if he does leave and a criminal case is brought, nicaragua can ask for extradition, assuming of course they have a treaty with canada for that purpose.
The USA does this same thing with passports. They can decide not to issue or renew at their whim.
BS. there is no such thing. Cite me one case where a person’s passport was not issued on a “whim.”
Billy/Car
Canada – Passport Refusal
Passport Canada may refuse to issue a passport or Canadian travel document to, and may revoke the passport of, a person who:
… is imprisoned or otherwise forbidden to leave Canada
or, being abroad, is imprisoned or otherwise forbidden to leave that country.
Dispute Settlement
Source — http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2012/191209.htm
Misuse of the criminal justice system sometimes results in individuals being charged with crimes arising out of civil disputes, often to pressure the accused into accepting a civil settlement.
Difficulty in resolving disputes, particularly the enforcement of contracts, remains one of the most serious drawbacks to investment in Nicaragua.
The legal system is weak and cumbersome. Members of the judiciary, including those at senior levels, are widely believed to be corrupt or subject to political pressure. A commercial code and bankruptcy law exist, but both are outdated.
Enforcement of court orders is frequently subject to non-judicial considerations. Courts routinely grant injunctions (“amparos”) to protect citizen rights by enjoining official investigatory and enforcement actions indefinitely. Foreign investors are often at a disadvantage in disputes against nationals with political or personal connections. Some U.S. companies have been subject to legal procedures that violate international standards of due process and monetary judgments that have no parallel in Nicaragua’s legal system. International treaties, such as CAFTA-DR, become domestic legislation once ratified by the National Assembly, and while CAFTA-DR derogated some laws, these laws have been mistakenly applied by some courts to resolve commercial disputes.
The Mediation and Arbitration Law (2005/540) establishes the legal framework for alternative dispute resolution. Nicaragua is a signatory of the New York Convention and the Inter-American Convention on International Commercial Arbitration. The American Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Chamber of Commerce jointly operate a Mediation and Arbitration Center. Arbitration clauses should be included in business contracts.
CAFTA-DR establishes an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism. An investor who believes the government has breached a substantive obligation under CAFTA-DR or that the government has breached an investment agreement may request binding international arbitration in a forum defined by the Investment Chapter. Proceedings under this mechanism are generally open to the public and documents are made publicly available.
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2012/191209.htm
I think the issue here is Ted Cole did not go the arbitration route as described in his contracts, and chose the other avenue. The damage that it has caused to the people whom have trusted and believed in the project and the country is priceless. I hope Ted and friends are prepared for the repercussions of their actions. After reading the above articles written about Nicaragua from http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2012/191209.htm it is very clear what is happening.
He is not being held because of a civil lawsuit. He is being held because of TWO CRIMINAL CHARGES that have been filed against him. A lessor one for slander and a more serious one for FRAUD. The courts consider him a flight risk. Starting almost a year ago he has sold ALL of his personal assets (except for a beach house that is up for sale) and moved his family back to Canada. He also now has all of the Seaside property up for sale.
And any normal person that understands this country and its legal system as much as he should by now would have gone back to Canada with his family. He could have been in the relative safety of Canada while filling up screen after screen with even more information for the plaintiff/prosecutor to mull over…which has to be contrary to the most basic of legal advice when being sued or charged.
Some of you here are pretending that being disallowed to leave a country in order to face questioning or legal proceedings is somehow ‘imprisonment’, akin to actually being locked in jail. There are countless instances where you can be denied exit from any country, including the USA and Canada. To pretend that is imprisonment is delusional.
I hope the facts do come out in their entirety – but I looked into Kevin’s projects years ago, and it took me less than 20 minutes of reading to seal up my pocketbook. It was apparent to ANY, even remotely savvy potential investor that, at a minimum, ‘now’ was not the time to invest with Kevin, his failure to get even basic services in was telling, and I do feel sorry for those who invested with him, but it certainly wasn’t one single ‘savvy’ investor, nor one who really had the interests of Nicaragua at heart.
BHicks: The story is about the legal mechanism to restrict immigration of an individual applied illegally to a Defamation Case brought on by Edward Albert Cole and Carmen Elizondo. Read the entire history of events and perhaps you might feel differently about the situation.
http://info.grupomariana.com/legal/bid/95542/Canadian-Kevin-Fleming-Chairman-of-Grupo-Mariana-Unlawfully-Detained-in-Nicaragua
Kevin, according to “Emily” you have lived here for 10 years on 90 day tourist cards and you are not a legal resident of Nicaragua. Your wife (a Nica) is the legal representative of your S.A.’ s and you are a shareholder.
All fine and dandy by the rules of incorporating S.A.’s but what are your views in relation to what you see as your activities as they pertain to the Ley de Migracion (Immigration Law) and the rather complex detention/penalties that act contains in relation to non residents and business activities while in Nicaragua.
It looks to me that they are simply using the laws that are in place to stop you doing the proverbial “Runner”. That preventative action has to be prompt and before the civil/criminal case can be heard. If, after the case is heard, you win AND the Judge decides its all been a personal and unfounded attack on you, then you can sue the plaintiffs that bought the action.
Remember, they did ask for you to be remanded in custody did they not? The Judge refused that but clearly felt that under the circumstances, you should not be allowed to leave Nicaragua. Very reasonable, given the allegations
And maybe this is not a civil case but a criminal case? Hence the government restricting his movement out of country. Just putting that out as food for thought
Criminal and Civil cases here can be interchangeable. It can start off as one and lead into another (on the same docket number). An injury file can start off criminal and be settled as it would in a civil case by an acceptable offer to the victim/plaintiff. All done in open court and all above board.
On the other hand, what could be civil, as in this case, could easily become criminal (or could have been all along) and then it becomes a sledgehammer to crack a walnut resolution as the settlement will be that the property gets seized and sold off to pay off the victims and enable the accused to go free.
Personally, I am sick of fat cats telling me that “Its just business” as though I can’t understand it or something. A lot of us understand this only too well and adding zeros to impress people does not change anything.
Misuse of the criminal justice system sometimes results in individuals being charged with crimes arising out of civil disputes, often to pressure the accused into accepting a civil settlement.
And misuse of the system goes on by both sides to get what they want. There are developers that took that route and still have the fleas from sleeping with those dogs.
There is no extradition treaty. Between Nica and Canada. If Kevin flees to Vancouver , there is no treaty to bring him back. For that matter , there are no treaties on any matter between Canada and Nicaragua. Eg: tax , trade, extradition. I have been watching for 5 years and believe this to be true. Best case is to refer to Canada costa rica relationship for guidance, as treaties exist there. Best to hold Kevin in country is my thought. He lives there anyway. And loves Nica. He even has a Nica foundation Which accrues 4% of all sales of $15 million . So it has $600,000 set aside for charity. Oh, my … Hang on. He took that too
Firstly, Nicaragua is a an “Extradition Partner” of Canada, however the rules are complicated as to whether they would extradite under the circumstances we have had disclosed to date.
Extradition Act, S.C. 1999, c. 18, Assented to 1999-06-17
“Membership has its privileges” and if Flemming is a resident he would need an Exit Visa to leave like we all do. Ergo, if we need a visa to leave, it seems logical that the visa can be denied, No?
His own investor presentation shows just under $20 MILLION in sales. And he makes the same promise for sales at Isla. He likes to confuse things by throwing out this $11.7M number but that happens to be the sales in the first 2.5 years. He should have a lot more in trust but does not.
Please tell me the dates of the presentation shows where this information was presented. Kevin clearly has informed us that he presented information of unaudited financials that were used as talking points amongst clients of Ted Cole in a 1 meeting in Calgary.
Seaside Mariana is not a public company so why does he have to present any information to the public at all, especially unaudited financial numbers. At the very minimum, if he has not provided the information, certainly individuals should not randomly throw out numbers that are beyond the ridiculous and slanderous in nature to make people believe money is stashed away out of country. Nothing could be further from the truth and certainly impossible to prove.
Why does everyone assume he is guilty? Has anyone asked themselves what if he is not guilty? What then?
Cat: why would a government restrict him from leaving without proof? If they had proof they would have done something already. Do you agree that the government has the right to detain people without cause? It seems to me like a case of who knows who and what they can do for them.
ALL courts can detain people who are charged with criminal offences. The court makes a decision based on whether they believe the person will show up in court to answer the charges that have been filed against him. The court can also set bail which in Kevin’s case they did not. He has been charges with CRIMINAL FRAUD after taking $20 MILLION from investors and producing absolutely nothing and has according to his own words, no money left. He started selling all his personal assets last year and moved his family back to Canada. That does not sound like someone who is likely to stick around or who has investors as a priority. You could never develop a property of this size on a part time basis.
Fleming is accused of Fraud with regard to Ted Cole’s purchase of condo totalling $400,000, not 20MM. Ted Cole will have to prove that Fleming spent $400,000 on himself and not for the benefit of Seaside Mariana.
The penalty for wrongful accusation of fraud is up to 4 years in jail. I am know for a fact Fleming has all the receipts of the money spent on SM so Ted Cole is out of luck to prove his case.
Judging by the fact that after 90 minutes of testimony from Cole’s attorney at the first preliminary hearing, the facts are pretty clear that Cole couldn’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt for the judge to take the case to trial.
The person not sticking around will be Cole, who is likely to skip town shortly just like the co-accuser Michael Emonds who has already fled Nicaragua and likely never to return.
What does it say about a person who places a fraud charge against someone and then doesn’t even show up for the preliminary hearing. I call that guy a coward and afraid to face the music when he is proven wrong.
It’s no surprise of the tactics of Cole’s attorney, bringing an accusation of Fraud to force a settlement by installing fear that a jail sentence may be waiting. Cole is following the advice of his attorney straight to jail if you ask me. He should drop the charges against Fleming immediately and hope that Fleming is kind enough not to press charges against him for wrongful accusation of fraud.
No way someone would get away with the same actions in Canada or the US. Pulling out the Fraud word is a big gun and best have all your proof or else trouble will be upon you quickly by the Defense quickly turning into the Plaintiff.
the government hasn’t done anything yet, cuz they’re still figuring out how to steal the project and the land after a horseshit trial and the sorry bastard is in jail.
right now, as we sit here and debate this topic, a group of sandinistas are forming private companies in foreign countries, using non-elected persons (friends) as strawmen, and these companies will “buy” the project at a very cheap price, after it is seized because the aforementioned horseshit trial.
So can someone shed some light on what Cole’s gripe is ?
And is Kevin just visiting where ever he is going with the view to come back?
Cole is suing for 5 times the amount he paid in is original contract. He chose to follow the advice of a lawyer and proceed with a lawsuit in the courts rather than follow the terms of his agreements, which specify Arbitration.
http://info.grupomariana.com/legal/bid/93516/Facts-About-Lawsuit-Filed-by-Edward-Albert-Cole-Against-Seaside-Mariana-in-Nicaragua
Hello….Kevin clearly states on this website, that he is a resident of Nicaragua. His wife and kids live in Vancouver but he lives in Managua. Maria and Kevin have spent the past 6+ years stating to the world, what a great place Nicaragua is for everyone. There is lots of conflict and legal information to resolve, so Kevin must stay put in Nicaragua, and put forward their side of the case. What is wrong with that?
Kevin’s restriction is only leaving. He can go around Nicaragua as he pleases. It seems reasonable for the justice system needs time to work through this case. Kevin is clearly a flight risk, so they stated that for the short term, you can not leave Nica. If they let Kevin return to Canada, they may never see him in country again….and the investors, govt taxes, suppliers, staff, workers, and Plantiffs could be SOL. Restricting people from leaving countries, happens everyday. The authorities need time to work through the issues, with all parties in country & available. I’m not sure why Fleming is making such a big deal of this….unless he has something to hide. I’m sure the Plantiffs lawyer has some questions regarding Kevin’s self proclaimed master Panamian bank account for the development.
If he has a solid defense, it is better to keep him in country and get this lawsuit moving faster. To drag it out will only harm Fleming, Grupo Mariana and investors. I think the Nica courts are smart to restrict departure from Nicaragua and fast track the lawsuit. This BS about “no one is safe is Nicaragua now that Fleming has not departure visa” is stupid and again skirts that issues. Kevins actions since November seem to be all about “deflection” and “transferring” the issues/focus to others. Bottomline, Kevin and Maria need to DEAL WITH THE ISSUES…not blame everyone else & tell them to contact their lawyer. First it was the Bramwells(for problems at IM), then Nica Govt
(for taking too long with Permits), then township of Pochomil (for unpaid taxes overdue), then International and nation financial institutes (for not putting up investment for Infrustructure at Seaside), then Roger Keeling(for stealing Wyndham), then Wyndham(for negotiating with Milagro while under contract to Grupo Mariana), then Ted Cole(for Not going to Mediation in Miami), then Nica Lawyers(for illegal lawsuit), then Nica Supreme Court of Nica(for putting the case to trial), then Nica Immigration(for restricting departure of an Innocent Canada citizen)…….Kevin is going to blow this issue up as big a possible and make this a national incident with Canada…Guaranteed! It is too bad that Kevin is not American, as American tend to protect this own citizens much stronger than Canada does(I know I’m gonna hear about that one). Canada has more of policy of respecting individual countries justice systems…….and let the Nica courts figure this out. It is impossible for a Canadian court to figure out this Nicaraguan land development dispute.
Fleming/Rueda’s are nervous, but if they are serious about all the information put forward, I don’t see a big problem. The courts will work through this and the Fleming/Rueda family can keep going with Grupo Mariana.
Americans protect their own?? Have you read Eric Volz and Jason Puracol cases …oh my?!! Fleming is one of many developers who have frauded investors. I,m no genius however why these people didn’t, research how at risk they were to lose their money in Nica investments I don,t get . We enjoy Nica but rent…would never even consider buying!
It is my understanding that English contracts are not binding in Nicaragua. Contracts must be written in Spanish to be binding in nicaragua. This is why the arbitration clause, is no important.
Additional, although Kevin’s purchase contracts say, power & water to the edge of the propery(I’m sure kevin is thinking to the edge of the entire property; the buyers are thinking to the edge of their respective lot)….however, there is an “implied contract” for substantially more(such as golf, clubhse, condos, pools, etc, etc. Grupo Mariana has massive liability from this aspect.
Nicaheat, You obviously know Nicaragua well and make very intelligent comments. I agree with you about the ‘implied contract’ and that kevin is trying to weazel out of providing power and water to the lots. How classy on his part.
What do you see happening next? If a bunch of other investors sue for there money back like COle did what do you think will happen next? Would anyone want to buy Seaside with so many lots gone and condos promised and no infrastructur? Isnt kevin asking for $39,000,000 on that website?
Here’s another persons (Cypress) who sides with the logic of Nicaheat. That probably is enough said but now he is a mind reader and knows what Fleming wants to do.
Cole is suing for 5 times the original amount paid according to his contract. If others sue like Cole, there will not be enough land to pay everyone back. Maybe that’s why Fleming continues to argue that following the terms of the contract are important, which, means Cole’s only claim is $400,000 not $2 Million.
Cole is NOT suing for 5 times the amount of the investment. The lawsuit represents 4 individuals in total and the investment is significantly more. Kevin, as usual continues to mess with the facts and use partial truths in an effort to make himself a victim. The fact remains that Kevin has spend $20 MILLION of investor money, has produced absolutely nothing with the money and cannot even provide to investors a rudimentary balance sheets and income statement, much less audited financials. If he was operating in Canada or the U.S, he would have been put out of business a long time ago.
It is amazing how this bozo continues to lie. The lawsuit by Cole is solely based upon his purchase at Seaside Mariana. There are no other names associated as a Plaintiff on the complaint. You can download a copy of the lawsuit by going here.:
http://info.grupomariana.com/legal
Every comment this jerk makes is wrong and only repeats the words of Ted Cole and Seaside Mariana Investor Union, the individuals for blowing the topic way out of proportion and taking it to the public.
No audited financial documents from the private company of Seaside Mariana have been released and reporting of numbers of any kind is pure speculation. Let’s ask Milagro del Mar, MonteCristo, Rancho Santana, Iguana Beach, Gran Pacifica, Carlos Pellas for their audited financial statements and see what their response is.
Today, it’s claimed 20M in investor money, last month it was 30M, the month before 27M. The story changes everyday.
If he was operating in the US and Canada, he would be able to leverage 923 acres with 2 kilometers of beachfront into a line of credit or loan that would not require investors money to move the project forward toward completion.
Each individual owner absolutely knew what they were getting involved in when providing funds to the developer. Get in early at a low price in exchange for taking on more risk and profit.
This Nicaheat is a genious. In one sentence he speaks about English contracts not being binding and then in another sentence he says the English contract gives him massive liability.
How did this forum get so off track. the article was not personal, it was about what can happen in Nicaragua and to a tourist going there, regardless of his name or business. It could happen to you. an accusation was made, not a charge, and without due diligence a tourist was held against his will. all expats living in Nicaragua are in danger of this happening to them if this case sets a precidence. the country will be branded unsafe for tourism, it will be the black sheep of central america. What this article was was information that regardless of personal feelings, what was done is “illegal” end of story. deal with that issue.
Soni, No, he is not a tourist. Tourists get to stay for 90 days and have fun. He is a business man who has a legal residency, is married to a Nica and has been here working for many years.
I guess this could happen to a tourist in Nicaragua (refusal to grant an exit stamp) but that’s really not what this is about.
So right!! Trying to say that kevin is “just a tourist and so this could happen to anyone” is silly. And very egotistic to think one real estate developer held (not even in jail) could make Nicaragua the black sheep of Central America. If that didnt happen with the Eric Voltz case then it certainly wont with kevin. Kevin is not just a tourist.
I know Kevin Fleming, he does not have legal residency status in Nicaragua. He is married to a Nicaraguan and has two kids that were born in Nicaragua. Please retract your statement or produce Kevin Fleming’s legal residency status card as evidence. That’s the problem with everyone’s comments, so easy for you to just write anything with no thought or consequence of your actions.
Really Emily…he did all this on a 90 day tourist card…
Your comment makes no sense. Just like the rest of your content on the page. You should simply move to another subject where someone will not challenge you. I am now following this page closely and will ensure the false statements are corrected. So, please retract what you’ve said and admit you are wrong. If you have any other smart comments, we can address them as well.
Emily, I don’t know why you are getting all bent out of shape on the residency issue. He is either a citizen, a resident or a tourist. I find it hard to believe that he could operate here for ten years as he has without having his residency card. Sure he can have as many S.A.’s as he likes but he has made a living in Nicaragua, hands on buying and selling real estate and in my opinion that requires having a residency.
What Kelvin means is that without a residency card, Kevin cannot legally stay in the country for more than 90 days. And he has been living there for 10 years…or at least he was until he started packing up and leaving over a year ago..
Kelvin: It’s not about getting bent out of shape, it’s about getting the facts right and stopping the lies and slander that are falling upon the Fleming/Rueda family.
Keep in mind it is his wife that is the Nicaraguan with residency status and legal representative of the companies. Fleming has not received one dollar personally from any client and all funds have been sent to a Nicaraguan company. Despite this fact, he is charged with Fraud, which suggest he personally received and benefitted from the funds of the cleints and had no intent whatsoever to spend the money on Seaside Mariana.
Are you now suggesting that every individual that sells real estate in Nicaragua is required to have residence status in Nicaragua. Should we investigage Coldwell Banker, Remax, etc and start checking all people working in their offices and charge them for fraud because they are selling real estate without a residency status?
I suggest you keep opinions to yourself and stick with the facts.
OMG…Emily, you know that’s not what I said and everyone can see that but I tell you what, you win, you have turned this nasty. Now go have the last word.
Any individual can stay in Nicaragua past 90 days legally. Having said that, upon exiting Nicaragua, you will pay a fine for the number of days past 90 days you are in Nicaragua,
Kevin has been in Nicaragua since 2005, a total of 8 years. The history of the Fleming Family move is well documented, simply go here to read the story.
http://info.grupomariana.com/community-connector/bid/88186/Our-Family-in-Nicaragua-A-Message-from-Maria-Rueda-President-of-Grupo-Mariana
Let’s not blow things up more that what the realities are about the situation unless you have a different agenda, which you can keep to yourself.
Lobo claims to know Fleming/Rueda family but can’t get the basic facts right about the simplest of things.
Emily, why is it that you can write about your agenda but nobody else can. Every person that has written something you disagree with has been basically told to shut up or they will be sued. Why is that?
A very simple agenda here for anyone may be to help warn unsuspecting buyers that this sort of thing goes on and to try to help them avoid a nightmare instead of their retirement dream. That’s all.
I have only one agenda, clarify the false accusations against Fleming/Rueda family with the truth. I don’t disagree with your last statement but there is a right and wrong way to promote the message.
Why is nobody talking about Cole and the damage he has done to Fleming/Rueda alongside of the Seaside Mariana Investor Union. Have you taken the time to read all the information made public by Fleming, it should at least make you doubt much of has been prensented by these individulas.
Despite the fact that Cole started the lawsuit in July, Fleming/Rueda were still spending money received from the sale of their personal assets on construction in Nicaragua. Think about it…Are these the actions of people committing a fraud, I think not.
One of the accused in the fraud case is Michael Edmonds and he doesn’t even have a contract with Fleming, Rueda, Isla Mariana, Seaside Mariana or any company for that matter associated with these folks but he is allowed to bring a fraud accusation when no funds were received, yet alone a personal gain by Fleming.
What’s that all about. That’s why he is going to jail and will not return to Nicaragua.
I believe the Fleming/Rueda bashing has gone on long enough. I know this couple well and the entire story behind the scenes with Ted Cole and his wife Carmen Elizondo.
Everyone is jumping to a guilty verdict without knowing the truth or at the very minimum reading up on the subject on the public page of Grupo Mariana.
http://info.grupomariana.com/legal
The fact is Fleming has rebutted all the false claims in the civil lawsuit and messages from the Seaside Mariana Investor Union. Cole and his friend Michael Edmonds coward behind the Seaside Mariana Investor Union and continue to send anonymous messages with no solid facts to support their claims to interfere with the progress of Seaside Mariana.
The actions of Cole and Elizondo taking a civil matter to the criminal courts attempting to force a settlement in the lawsuit is wrong. What started out as a private civil lawsuit is not a criminal matter and shouldn’t keep Fleming from returning to his wife and kids in Canada.
Once Fleming is cleared of all the ridiculous accusations, it will be interesting to see if the same people on this forum retract their statements to help repair the damage caused by Cole to not only Fleming/Rueda but all the owners of Grupo Mariana.
Emily, Who has been damaged more, kevin and Maria because people talk badly about them or the investors who in some cases lost their life’s savings?
I will retract everything I said about Kevin as long as he repairs all the damages he caused to people who trusted him.
I am friends with Maria and Kevin and I know they also have their life savings tied up in the projects. The last time I checked, the land is still there and not under water, so what has been lost but perhaps simply delayed in completion.
In 2006, Miliagro del Mar started selling condos (now Wyndham Building) and construction of the foundation of a building. The crash came in 2008 and the building that sat dormant for 4 years. Are you saying those people that paid for condos in 2006 lost their life savings because construction stopped and Roger Keeling is a fraud because of results of the economy?
Kevin and Maria have had to stay quiet because of all the legal issues and focus on the facts but I can certainly give them a voice and raise questions.
Why did Ted Cole simply not go to Arbitration?
How did a lawsuit get registered before any mediation hearing?
Who is the leader of Seaside Mariana Investor Union?
Why was it necessary for Ted Cole and the Seaside Mariana Investor Union to make such a public mess of things when construction was just starting on site at Seaside Mariana?
Why is Ted Cole claiming 5 times the amount as damages as his original investment?
There is a big difference between being delayed in a project and having an intent to commit fraud.
Can you honestly say that Kevin and Maria from the very start meant to commit a fraud in Nicaragua?
Have you met Kevin and Maria? Have you played with their kids or had dinner at their house?
I have said it before, we can argue if the plan for Seaside Mariana was the right plan from the start but those that invested funds did so knowing what the plan was to be. 80% of the clients gave funds to Kevin to buy the land based on the development of a future plan.
He brought Nicklaus Design, KemperSports and in 2010 Wyndham Hotel Group to Nicaragua. This does not sound like the actions of people trying to committ a fraud. These world class brands do extensive background checks and due diligence on the feasibility of a project before they commit their name.
It seems like Kevin had the right plan but is a victim of the economy just like every other developer in Nicaragua. I rather be invested in a project that is shovel ready than one that has to start from scratch considering all the development and political risk in Nicaragua.
Kevin invested NOTHING of his own money. He came from Canada and used other investors money to buy Isla and then sold land and condos and used the ISLA money to buy Seaside (after he publicly stated that the money was in trust for construction at Isla). Since then he has produced NOTHING. He has announced the start of construction many times in the last 4 years. He as NO MARENA PERMIT at Seaside (and refuses to provide proof that he has the Marena permit for Isla as he says he does) and therefore cannot do any construction. He has no permits for any construction except possibly the 2 foundations that he built (and which would also require the Marena permit to be legally built).
Kevin claims to have had a successful career in the construction business in Canada (per his own facebook page) but in fact he was a paint salesman for General paint and sold paint to small general contractors.
Kevin twists the truth every chance he gets and to every investor he has a different story.
And to one of your other points Emily, Kevin has been CHARGED with CRIMINAL FRAUD, not just accused, but actually charged. Just as in the US or Canada, once charged (which only happens with sufficient evidence), the case then goes to trial and his innocence or guilt is determined by the courts.
Kevins project is not “shovel ready”. It will take him 18-24 months to get Marena permits even if he were serious and actually intended to build. But oh yeah…he spend $20 MILLION dollars and has nothing left.
He wants $8.5M from investors to build Mariana Norte which is already sold out and he has been given all the money necessary to build it twice over…but oh yeah…he has no money.
He proudly shows off his pretty little plans for Mariana Norte, but oh yeah…he forgot to tell anyone that he does not actually own all the land yet.
The money invested by the group of investors Ted Cole represents is significantly more than $400K which is the number Kevin wants everyone to believe. At one point Kevin was also saying that the number was $250K. He cant even keep his own crap straight.
At least Milagro actually had a building before the crash and now has a lot more. When the crash happened, Kevin had already collected nearly $12 Million (enough to build the condos he had sold 4 times over), but he never built a single thing or even applied for a single permit to build anything. Then he raised another $8M and has still produced NOTHING. Based on current construction costs in Nicaragua, the cost of the 2 foundations he build is less than $5K. He collected $60K in total for those 2 buildings and then told the owners that that was all he could build for $60K. You do the math.
I also know Kevin and his wife and his kids and have for 6 or 7 years. His story continues to change and he always has an excuse. But in the end he collected $20MILLION and provided NOTHING.
I think you need to do a little of your own fact finding Emily as you clearly have no understanding of what has happened.
You should call yourself bozo not lobo. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell the same lies they will never be true. Since you’re basically repeating the mantra of the Seaside Mariana Investor Union led by Ted Cole and Michael Edmonds, I’ll take the time to respond accordingly with the facts already published and distributed to the public.
There is only one reason to bring up the false claims in your message and that is to incite more people against Kevin Fleming without having the facts, which most certainly you do not.
Let’s start with Isla Mariana. Kevin and Maria came from Canada and bought the first parcels of land with their own money not investors. It is true other funds from sales were used to purchase more land to complete the development of the master plan. At Isla Mariana, there was never any condos for sale. The legal troubles between the Bramwell’s is well documented so we don’t need to dwell on that past, except tosay the Bramwell’s dissappeared from Nicaragua in 2008 and haven’t returned since but Kevin and Maria remained in business obtaining all the permits necessary to construct at Isla Mariana, which includes the MARENA permit that can be downloaded on the public Page http://info.grupomariana.com/legal.
It is false to suggest funds were used from sales at Isla Mariana to purchase Seaside Mariana. The money collected for the purchase of Seaside Mariana was collected in an escrow account with First American Title Insurance Company for the specific purchase of the lands known as Seaside Mariana.
Your facts are wrong again about what permits are required for the type of construction at Seaside Mariana. The municipality has limits to what they can approve without the larger MARENA permit and it relates to the size of the construction. Having said that, when it comes to earth movemenet, underground electricity and other infrastructure ítems, the larger MARENA permit is required and Kevin has been clear that is the objective on the horizon that will allow financing to be unlocked at Seaside Mariana.
I believe most would agree that as a general term using the construction industry is wide enough to cover Kevin’s past experience. It really has no bearing in this conversation. Kevin has been envolved with Nicaragua for 8 years, so that qualifies him now to speak from a position of experience when it comes to development in Nicaragua.
Again, you are wrong about the charges against Fleming. They are not from the government of Nicaragua but brought before the courts from a private citizen. In Canada and the US, it is the prosecution that brings charges against an individual not a private citizen. The same takes place in Nicaragua. The bottom line, there should not be any charges against Kevin as the matter should be dealt with in a civil matter not a criminal matter. Now that the bug gun FRAUD has been used, Ted Cole and Michael Edmonds run the risk of going to jail for wrongful accusation of fraud.
Kevin’s projects are shovel ready, that’s the truth. Your facts are wrong. I am not sure where you continue to get 20M in sales, or as others reported up to 27M in sales. I súpose we can thank Ted Cole and the Seaside Mariana Investor Union for putting out those lies. If we are going to talk about investors money, let’s focus on the money raised from sales as other funds don’t mean a thing as the real liability is to the owners and their funds.
I’ve never seen any offering ask 8.5M for anything to be built. Can you tell us where you get this number and back it up with facts. It’s not a crime to have no money, that’s why individuals seek out partners and lenders.
There is no doubt that all the lands are owned by Seaside Mariana. To suggest otherwise is a complete fabrication. Would you like to expand on your comment so once again you can make a fool of yourself. After all, isn’ this the reason Milagro del Mar (MDM) stopped construction in 2008 and their building sat abandoned on the beach for 4 years but now has obtained a load based on the strength of Wyndham Hotel Group.
It was Kevin that brought Wyndham Hotel Group to Seaside Mariana in 2010. It stands to reason upon the approval of plans from Wyndham, Seaside Mariana would of acquired the same loan for construction. Instead, Wyndham has acted in bad faith breaching the agreement with Grupo Mariana and negotiating with a MDM within a protected terrioty clause.
Ted Cole does not represent a Group of investors, it is solely his name on the Promise of Sale Agreement and the civil lawsuit against Kevin Fleming. If there were other investors they would be on the agreements and the complaint of the lawsuit. The number of $250K reported is the amount Cole paid for 7 home sites, which he has all the titles and he received what he paid for. I’m sure if other investors have issues with Kevin, they will contact him and most certainly Kevin will work with them in a manner that is aceptable to both parties.
With MDM, they were a joint venture association within the larger project of Gran Pacifica. The only responsibility MDM had was to create a building and sell it, not develop an entire 923 acre property from scratch. At MDM, there are 40 units in their condo building and 50% of the building was sold out in 2008 prior to the crash. At an average price of $250K, that’s 5MM collected in sales. How is it only the foundations were complete before the crash, where did all the money go collected from clients. Certainly the foundations that were completed 4 years ago did not cost 5MM. Think about it…
I believe it is true that nearly 12M was collected before the crash and it is also true that 50% of that money was spent acquiring the land, leaving only 6MM. On average, 10% comission is paid for sales, so deduct another 1.2MM from the 6MM left over. That leaves about 4.8MM for expenses and development. The condo building that was being promoted had an estimated cost of 15MM, how is it that Kevin has 4 times over the funds to build the condo building. It was clear to all condo owners that the building would start construction upon 60% of the units being sold in a building that has 86 units. With Cole, he is one six people out of 24 units sold that doesn’t have this clause in his agreement and that gives him the right to ask for his money back ($400,000) through Arbitration, not a lawsuit for 2MM.
It is not true that Sesaside Mariana never applied for single permit. You can download all the permits on their legal page http:info.grupomariana.com/legal. It is abundantly clear you are receiving your information from only one source and not seeking to understand all the information available.
Please tell me what you feel the current cost of construction is in Nicaragua. At Seaside Mariana, they have contracted with Castaneda Ingenieros, the largest and most respected construction firm in Central America. During the past two years, all sales made at Seaside Mariana provided on average 65% financing to the buyer. So it stands to reason that additional financing from local sources would be required to complete the construction. Hence, this is where completing all the plans and permits are important as these documents are requisites to apply for a loan in Nicaragua to complete the construction.
It is true estimated timelines of design development change based upon the completion of tasks by third parties and the master development schedule is updated and communicated to owners and the public. There has never been a construction schedule promoted that has changed.
Kevin has clearly communicated online with consistent messages to owners and the public about the progress of the developments and has always been transparent with the status of the project. No other developer has gone the distance to promote Nicaragua to the world in the last 8 years, not even Carlos Pellas.
You state the story continues to change but could it simply be that the plans change adjusting for the realities of the market. If anyone’s story of the future is well documented, it’s Fleming’s vision for Nicaragua.
I believe I have a very good understanding of the matter and prepared to correct you as Fleming has corrected Cole and the Seaside Mariana Investor Union over 100 times in the last 4 months.
Wyndham will pay for their damages. Bramwell’s will pay for their damages. Edmonds will pay for their damages. Cole will pay for their damages, that is of course if he’s not in jail for wrongful accusation of fraud. Lastly, if you want to share with us you full name, I am sure you will end up paying for your damages as well but I suspect you will coward being your name lobo, which should really be BOZO.
emily, I hope they all pay for the damages they have caused to the project, the investors, and especially to the dedicated family fleming/rueda who sounds like they gave everything for this country and this country squeezed them like a lemon and dumped them in the garbage. How can all of these facts be disputed with back up of verifiable documentation. I hope that they get a fair shake and justice is done.
I don’t feel Fleming/Rueda are placing blame on the country as a whole because of a select few people such as Carmen Elizondo, Ted Cole and the Seaside Mariana. The activities of these people are questionnable at best and these are the people that should pay, not the citizens of Nicaragua.
I’m pretty sure that once the smoke clears and the right people pay for their crimes, Fleming/Rueda will be back but could you blame them for just saying goodbye to Nicaragua after they’ve been treated.
On Wednesday, we’ll find out if justice will be served or more injustice continiues against Fleming. I can guarantee you that if Fleming is not home by the end of next week, the heightened media on this matter will be expanded much more than this forum. I know of interviews schedule with national media and until Fleming comes home, it’s going to get very messy for everyone in Nicaragua.
I urge to call out to Carmen Elizondo, Ted Cole and Michael Edmonds to stop their actions against Fleming/Rueda in Nicaragua.
Emily, you called Lobo “Bozo” twice. Thats not just implied name calling but DIRECT name calling. Very classy.
You said that the Bramwell’s left Nicaragua in 2008 and not returned. I read they are building power poles to provide electricity to their buyers, which is something kevin had more 7 years to do and did not do for his own buyers.
Cypress…I would say all the postings on this page are less than classy, including your own.
The Bramwell’s have installed a single phase power line that does not provide adequate power for all residents on the island. If Bramwell’s had the right corect permits, they would have installed threee phase power as requested by the environmental authorities at Isla Marina.
So you are right, Kevin has not wasted time and money working with the Bramwell’s to install provisional lines of power that are not adequate for the island and working with a development that doesn’t have environmental permits and taking part in construction of infrastructure that does not meet the criteria of the permits obtained at Isla Mariana.
Do you have any other smart comments to make?
“Emily”, why would anyone waste their money installing triple phase power to a remote location that has no development yet. Upgrading the service is running an additional 3 lines, making it triple phase. The pole install and initial electrical approval/install is the hard part. Mono phase is all that would be required for several years, til atleast 75 full consuming houses are built.
Some mentioned earlier that the power was installed by the island developers association, which is a group of 3 or 4 developers on this island. It was not the Bramwells only. But either way, who really cares who is behind the electrical install. Power is power, and you need power to built.
The laws changed drastically in 2009 with the coastal law and the environmental authorities and permits on the island require specific installation of infrastructure. At Isla Mariana, the civil plans have been approved for some time but obtaining the environmetal permit took a lot of time and took just as much time to renew the permit. I would expect something to take place this year at Isla Mariana. The individuals part of the developer association are acting outside of the law with the development of infrastructure that does not meet the standards of the environmental authorities.
Ok Kevin, I’ll bite. As Minister of Environmental Authorities of Nicaragua, what “standards” are you saying, were not met with the installation of the electricity?
And I love, “I would expect something to take place this year at Isla Mariana”. I thought your schedule was starting the condos in March to be occupied by the end of 2013. By the word “something”, what exactly are we talking about? We talking about a palapa, or what?
Even better, “the developers association are acting outside the law”. Well as an owner, all I care about is servicable electricity. I don’t care who gets it done, I just want to plug in a toaster. I want power, road, water, clubhouse.
At this point, I’m sure the owners of Seaside wouldn’t mind if “Elvis” put electricity in. Just get it done.
Emily, you obviously did not read my post. Where did I say Kevin should work with the Bramwell’s? That’s you deflecting away from the real point.
I said Kevin had more than 7 years and did not install power for his buyers. Its not a choice between work with the Bramwell’s or install nothing. Kevin could have installed power on his own.
EMILY = KEVIN FLEMING. Kevin just out and take over the site in your own name….emily….lol
The truth to the false claims of Cole and the Bramwells are openly published and written in multiple locations online. Anyone can copy paste the information responding to post on this page.
Back to the Blame game. ……On the topic of the Bramwells. They have not disappeared from Nicaragua at all. That is simply the marketing angle put forward from the Fleming camp (to keep selling Isla Mariana). The Bramwells are smart enough to not put all their “laundry” on the internet for the world to debate. Kevin was classless in putting their 2011 lawsuit on the seasidemariana.com website, to deflect the blame to the Bramwells…especially considering that Kevin signed a non-disclosure agreement upon the resolution of that lawsuit. And only posted a portion of the case…..this is the pattern! Half truths and make up the rest.
The Bramwells have continued WORKING on the project, while Kevin has continued MARKETING the project. Bramwells could have continued to sell land, but that would have been unethical.
They have maintained an office in Managua and continue work on and around the island. Land use permits completed, road construction, extensive water study completed, construction permits completed, master water permit, 10 km of concrete electrical poles installed, primary and transformed installed, drilled successful & unsuccessful potable wells and are currently installing the water line to the individual lots. (The water line which feeds from a river are not good enough to drink & the power line was installed completely incorrectly, and needed to be 100% redone…thanks Kevin).
So the Bramwells, after 3 years in the approval stage with Union Fenosa, installed a complete new system to the island, with enough power for the entire island; did the same with the BS water system that Kevin had. Bottom-line, Nicaragua Development SA/Grupo Mariana has failed its Isla Mariana Buyers at every turn.
- It all started with their original legal opinion. It was so poorly done, that the 1.5 page document, (which should have been 30+ pages), failed to confirm that location of the property was correct…and ofcourse it is 3.5km to the North.
- Once the real title was brought to light by First American Title, Kevin & Maria failed to investigate the title to protect its buyers. Failed to cover these buyers with this title! Oh well, “atleast we have possession”.
- They had the opportunity to participate in the electric installation. I guess Kevin’s buyers can go solar.
- They had the opportunity to participate in the “sweet” water install…. again no. Kevin’s buyers can bring in bottled water.
Kevin & Maria have accomplished zero AT THE SITE. Zero rights to access the electricity, zero water to Isla Mariana, zero road work, zero lot marking, zero dock built, zero shelter or structures built at Isla Mariana, zero improvements! Nicaragua development SA has disappeared from Isla Mariana! The only thing done is adding internet pictures of “happy couple on a beach”, “a jeep with a surf board on the roof” and fictitious renders of what could be built. Buyers who now realize that they are in the middle of a nightmare….thanks Kevin.
EMILY(Emily Elizee, Property and Real Estate Liaison. http://www.caribpro.com), TAKE THIS AS A LEGAL WARNING THAT KEVIN FLEMING, NICARAGUA DEVELOPMENTS SA AND/OR DO NOT OWN ANY LOTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE LISTED FOR SALE ON YOUR WEBSITE (LISTED ON PREVIOUS COMMENTS) AT ISLA MARIANA. ISLA MARIANA HAS A LAND DISPUTE! CLEAR and/or INSURABLE TITLE IS NOT POSSIBLE AT ISLA MARIANA. CEASE AND DESIST IN SELLING ANY LOTS OR CONDOS AT THIS PROPERTY. SHOULD IT COME OUT IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU HAVE CONTINUED TO SELL AND LIST PROPERTY, BELONGING TO THE BRAMWELLS, AT ISLA MARIANA, YOU RISK BEING INCLUDED IN A FRAUD CHARGE, SIMILAR TO WHAT IS CURRENTLY OCCURING AT SEASIDE MARIANA.
This is all that needs to be said about the Bramwell brothers.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/geoff-bramwell-john/criminal-justice-system/vancouver-british-columbia-10e54.htm
Emily, that’s you deflecting away from the real point again. John raised lots of points about the island and the power situation and your role selling real estate. Answering with a link to another case is not an answer.
I chose not to copy past the information on the link to waste space on this page. I believe you might agree that the real issue is about who has the right title to put infrastructure to. It matters not if there is power and water to land where there is no good title.
That said, you seem to be close to the Bramwell brothers, what title are they selling. Is it the original title they claimed Fleming/Rueda has for years is wrong or are they promoting the fake Undivided Agrarian title that has been proven wrong from multiple parties.
As far as I am concerned, the Bramwell’s are people you simply can’t trust and their actions of the past prove that beyond a reasonable doubt. If you want to stay on the point of power and water, that’s a waste of time as nobody will by lots to a development with a conflicted title.
At Isla Mariana, owener know that all permits have been obtained, the government recognizes the location of Isla Mariana and has no objections and titles continue to be transferred to new owners without issues.
Kevin,
you say that I am a liar, “outside the law”, “backed into a corner”, “untrustworthy”, etc, etc etc… and state that you are not. Ok. Here is a challenge for you. You post anywhere, any document that says the agrarian title is FALSE….and I will shut up! AND if you can not do this, then you have to shut up about this false title BS. Agreed?
Note that, “can not locate title”, “it my lawyers opinion that it is false”, “my dog says its false”, and “the lacky down the street…”, is not good enough. I have a document from the government, that is clear spanish says, it 100% real. I have a govt study, stating the same…however, if you can provide an appropriate document…you win, and I will not talk about this online.
We have a deal? Hey, all you listeners out there, does that seem reasonable? Bottomline, I will shut up OR Kevin can shut up…..
Intendencia de la Propiedad, the highest office of Agrarian Titles in Nicaragua, from the Ministry of Hacienda (the Finance Department) has issued 3 official letters in three different consecutive government administrations stating there is no evidence of the existence of the Agrarian Title held by the Bramwell’s for the project Tamarindo Beach & Ocean Estates, Los Suenos Island Resort and Nica Projects.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/geoff-bramwell-john/criminal-justice-system/vancouver-british-columbia-10e54.htm
Actually, that is completely false. Outright misrepresentation, by Mr. Fleming. The Intendencia de la propiedad issued a letter of authentication of the title on Agrarian title and Letters of No objection issued on all 7 seperate individual owners of the title. Seven letters, you moron.
Tamarindo has both overlapping titles owned by the Bramwells; Los Suenos title is perfect and title insured; Isla Mariana, however, has one title owned by Fleming, one owned by Bramwell.
That is the facts and the rest is Fleming rhetoric!
Nicaheat: The history of the island is well documented not only by the attorney’s of Nicaragua Developments, S.A., which are Taboada & Associados but also Garcia Boda and First American Title Insurance Company. It was an exhausting 3 years of title searching on the island and the facts are very clear.
If you are familiar with letters of no objection, you will agree that two properties can’t have the same letters of no objection for the same property from different owners. Under discussion with the Bramwells and Fleming is the specific Undivided 275 manzana Agrarian Title.
The lands known as Isla Mariana have obtained multiple letters of no objection for the individual parcels purchased from the original title of Yrygoyen, titles have been transferred to new owners and all studies and permits obtained based upon this title. This is undisputable…
Should you have the letters of no objection, please send to me at [email protected] and I would be pleased to retract my statement upon review of the documentation.
Kevin BS. Kevin/Emily, you write this crap and now is all real? These posts are complete BS and I’m not going to waste my time going through this BS again. It has already been documented on the site, just go back thru old entries. Bottomline, Kevin lovers will not be welcome when Isla Mariana is taken over & rebranded.
Let’s be clear about Geoff Bramwell, John Bramwell, Tamarindo Beach Ocean Estates and Los Suenos Island Resort Deceit, Fraud, Fraudulent and Negligent Misrepresentations in Nicaragua.
It was your client that paid you money for title at Tamarindo and Los Suenos and didn’t receive what he paid for, hence he brought a lawsuit against you in Canada and dragged my name into it for making an introduction to you.
It was also your client that purchased 2 home sites in the lands known as Isla Mariana and received title to the lands that originated from the Yrygoyen title sold to Nicaragua Developments, S.A., Roberto Black and Geoff Bramwell.
I believe the readers on this page are tired of hearing about Bramwelll/Fleming feud so how about you just answer the simple question of what title you are selling and installing power and water claiming serviced lots on the island.
Is the land at Tamarindo Beach and Ocean Estates for sale from the originally title of Yrygoen you claim is 3KM away or from the Undivided Agrarian Title?
I’ll put aside our differences if you can simply provide a clear answer for the readers. The obtructionist behaviour of you and your brother has been difficult to deal with but Isla Mariana was able to complete all the civil plans and achieve the difficult MARENA permit allowing us the ability to start construction upon the obaining the proper financing.
I congratulate you on the installation of power and water, we will catch up quickly with the installation of infrastructure according to our plans and not yours or the island association.
The water sounds interesting, please send me an email at [email protected] with more information, I would be willing to listen to what you have to offer.
Sounds like a very angry and bitter man. Maybe even on the verge of a breakdown. This guy can’t even answer a simple question to the origin of the title he is selling and putting infrastructure to.
John: Here is asimple question…
Is the title that you are selling and servicing lots with single phase power and sweet water the fake undivided agrarian title or the same freehold title as Fleming/Rueda from the origin of Yrygoyen?
Please, no long answer,. We can talk about your power and water after you start answering some real questions and not making loose statements.
Kevin, we got a deal? I’m waiting!
Emily, you misunderstood my statement, I thumbs upped Kevin and Maria and thumbs down all the people that are keen to feed at the trough of what they preceive is success, and are ready to condemn a man without being given due course. Most of this forum has hung the man that tried to put Nicaragua at the forefront of the world in tourism. Where is Pro Nicaragua in this deal, they have not even made a statement to the fact that in the past they supported all his efforts and applauded that he brought in big names like Nicholas and windham, now they sit like a coconut tree in the wind and wait to see where the coconut falls.
It’s a fulltime job to monitor all the postings on this page. My goal is to put out the truth from the information already posted online from Grupo Mariana and what I know from my years of friendship with the Fleming/Rueda family.
I know there are two sides to every story but it’s important to get the facts straight. Since I openely support Fleming, I am sure I am the hated one now on this site but I’ll continue to speak my mind. The Bramwell’s still sound like the people from 2007 trying to claim their fake agrarian title is real.
I doubt will hear anything from ProNicaragua on the matter, they are still stuck thinking this is a private matter even though it’s in the court and now in the face of the public.
I’m pretty sure we are going to hear from Fleming once Wednesday’s court date has come and gone. Big day in Nicaragua to see if justice in served or just paid for.
Interestingly enough the ripoff report that Emily has linked to was written by Kevin Fleming and contains much false information and untruths along with a lot of slanderous remarks. Why can’t Kevin Fleming stand up and go to the court and fight his lawsuit without trying to place blame on others. His continuous slander of others is going to come back and bite him in the ass.
If you want to talk about slander, I encourage others to visit the original postings of Geoff Bramwell on the same site. Bramwell’s were wrong back then and they are wrong today. It wasn’t only Fleming providing the truth but Garcia Bodan, First American Title Insurance Company and every department in the Nicaragua government that deals with land titles.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/offshore-scams/nicaragua-developmen/nicaragua-developments-kevin-8z954.htm
It’s not slander if what you are saying is the truth.
You mention why can’t Kevin stand up an go to court, obviously you know nothing of the case. This is a civil matter to be dealt with through Arbitration. The entire fight between the parties rest on this fact. It’s not a matter of blame.
Emily Kevin and those suing him are all Canadian. In Canada civil cases are heard in the Supreme court of the province. They do encourage the parties to go to arbitration but if that doesn’t work it goes into the court system. I also understand that cases against Kevin have been deemed to be criminal in Nicaragua therefore they would go to the court system.
As far as ripoff reports go everyone has said things in their reports and there is no way to remove reports from ripoff so it would be wise to think carefully before posting on ripoff. Just remember that it is personal opinions and has not necessarily been verified. That goes for both sides of every post.
Cole is the ONLY person suing Fleming/Rueda/Seaside Mariana. Cole and wife Carmen Elizondo made an accusation of defamation and caused the immigration restriction place upon Fleming since January 31. Cole and friend Edmonds recently brought accusation of fraud against Fleming ONLY and no immigration restriction notice has been received for this case.
Cole sues Fleming/Rueda/Seaside Mariana but Cole/Edmonds bring a charge of fraud to Fleming ONLY. How does that work? Fleming received no money from Cole/Edmonds, has no signed agreement with Edmonds and Fleming is not the legal representative of the contracts signed by Cole.
Seems like charging Fleming for fraud for marketing and promoting real estate sets a dangerous precendent for all real estate agents in Nicaragua.
The old adage ‘buyer beware” applies anywhere in the world, but more so in Latin America, esp Nicaragua. When money is being taken from investors over several years, with no infrastructure going in, nothing going “vertical” – there’s a real problem that is quite obvious. Add to that Daniel Ortega & his incessant anti-american statements, the world economy, rampant corruption within the Sandinista regime, one has the perfect storm. There are numerous examples in Mexico of this exact scenario from Sonora all the way to Oaxaca with foreigners experiencing their worst pesadilla with the countrys legal system which is receiving more manna from heaven, rather gringos
In the end, all the issues that have arisen in these posts will be settled one way or another through the court system or arbitration. Both sides have hurt each others credibility and it is shameful that developers cannot work together and instead continue to divide the country. I would never invest with any of these deveopers after these posts. But the truth will come out and hopefully the country and its tourism don’t take a big hit because of all the allegations against the developers in Nicaragua (because they will all be lumped in with these other gringos). I look forward to reading the follow up story and posts to this sensational story.
I’m pleased to answer your questions related to this article. Please send your inquiries to [email protected]. For legal information, please connect with us on our Blog. http://info.grupomariana.com/legal
We are on track to present our case to a court of law and move forward with the development of our projects. Resolving a successful future for all owners is our utmost priority.
Are you guys bored?
Erik, you don’t often get a legal dispute played out in public like this. It may not be as entertaining as it is informative but if it creates a more informed buyer then that has to be good for everyone.
This article and comment response are a positive step, in stopping subsequent buyer from loosing their money. Kevin has collected a disurbing amount of money. Recent estimations are over $27 million. Incredible! Who does that? Who takes in this kind of money and doesn’t even build a basic clubhouse on the property. Who keeps collecting money and doesn’t tranfer their lots(at seaside). If someone out there decided to not wire their money to Fleming, then this entire blog is worth it. Fleming is so good at getting other peoples money, that it seems like court, public exposure and jail are the only ways to stop or slow this guy(and his wife). Fleming is holding progressively fewer cards every day
Wow 27MM…that’s a number from Seaside Mariana Investor Union released in November 2012 that started this public debate. This false claim and others have already been corrected months ago. The real number of sales over 6 years is half that amount and the land cost with equipment is 50% of that number. You can read more of the lies corrected and published on our Blog.
http://info.grupomariana.com/legal
Quick Facts: 240 home sites have been sold at Seaside Mariana and have been ready to transfer since November 2009 under a master horizontal property regime that took 2 years to complete and register accordingly with the public registry. 190 home sites worth of owners have no power of attorney to close on their property or paid the attorney the legal fees to act on their behalf. Seaside Mariana has paid the property taxes and HOA fees for every owner for over 3 years since the home sites have been ready to transfer and an estimated total of $350,000 is owed to Seaside Mariana for these expenses. On the part of Seaside Mariana, there is nothing preventing the company from transferring title to any owner except the owner themselves and looking after their responsibilities of paying their legal fees and amounts owed for back taxes and HOA fees.
Frank: Who’s estimate of sales do you report the amount of 27 million?
I look forward to your evidence of proof, otherwise please stop the slander as defamation of our name.
We’ve taken notice of your Seaside Mariana Investor Union deleting public post in fear of the legal response coming your way.
There is no purpose of your post other than to cause fear in those that read these articles interested in Nicaragua and damage the reputation of our business, which you have most certainly done a good job.
I downloaded this information from your grupomariana.com website. It was nice pdf with the revenue and expenses outlines. Along with your Husbands $2 million income over those years outlined.
Frank: There is no such files to be download of unaudited financial statements from Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort on the website http://www.grupomariana.com.
Having said this, there was a slide presentation given at a private meeting in Calgary that had financial information on slides used for talking points. The misrepresentation of 2MM comes from statements made by Seaside Mariana Investor Union (SMIU).
At the meeting in Calgary, there was not one person with the name of Frank and you are making false claims. As reported previously on the public page http://info.grupomariana.com/legal, along with 100 other false claims made by Edward Albert Cole and the SMIU, the 2MM amount are loans made on behalf of Kevin Fleming, Maria Rueda and affiliated companies to Seaside Mariana and Isla Mariana over a period of 6 years and not income to Kevin Fleming.
Should you wish to provide evidence of the contrary, please send your information to [email protected]. I request you refrain from making false statements and retract your comment.
John says he will ‘shut up’ if Kevin can provide a letter saying the agraran title is false.
Kevin says he will retract his statements if John can provide the letter of no objection.
These both sound like reasonable requests. Lets see who follows through!! That will say a lot about credibility.
Cypress: Please allow me to expand upon your comment. Absolutely, I will retract my statements if John or Geoff Bramwell can provide letters of no objection for the 275 manzana undivided agrarian title with a divided lot survey registered in Catastro that overlaps Isla Mariana.
With regards to Isla Mariana, a copy of our MARENA environmental permit and one of multiple letters of no objection can be downloaded on our public legal page http://info.grupomariana.com/legal.
Are you not curious why the Bramwells refuse to answer what title they are selling that corresponds with permits for their water and power claiming serviced lots. Why such a secret?
Either they are selling the same title that originates from Yrygoyen (same as Isla Mariana) or selling the Undivided Agrarian Title. For credibility purpose and future buyers, they should at least respond publicly with this basic information about their project Tamarindo Beach and Ocean Estates.
I’m less concerned about any titles from Los Suenos, which is 5 kilometers away. The Bramwells claim their Agrarian Title overlaps Isla Mariana, this is my primiary concern correcting their false claims made on this website.
So how about it John and Geoff Bramwell, can you answer the question for all the readers. You delayed Isla Mariana from developing its project for three years claiming your undivided agrarian title was the answer.
Despite our public feud, Isla Mariana moved forward with environmental permits and letters of no objection based on the original title from Yrygoyen.
What title are you selling today? Is it Yrygoyen or Undivided Agrarian?
Your answer only needs to be one or two words.
Kevin,
1) We are not selling land, lots or anything and have not for several years. If someone wants to purchase, I can with a clean conscience, as we own both the overlapping titles. When you transfer ownership to a buyer, you are passing all your rights to the property. So we are passing the possession and dominion. All dominion, be it with the Alcaldia or the Agrarian. So, it doesn’t really matter.
2) As per your comment, I will upload a LETTER OF NO OBJECTION from the Intendencia de la propiedad & an APPROVED PLANO from city of Leon on the 275 manzana title, to our Tamarindo Beach Facebook page. I’ll post it by tomorrow, then it is your time to to “retract your statements, apologize” on this site, your website(islamariana.com, grupomariana.com, seasidemariana.com) and ripoffreport.com. You have slandered my name for years, so put on your big boy pants, and followup on your statements.
John: Nice try!
Firstly, the Letters of No Objection are not issued from the Intendencia de la Propiedad. Letters of No Objection are issued from Mr.Hernan Estrada, Procurador General de la Republica of Nicaragua.
Second, only approved surveys from the department of CATASTRO will suffice, not the city Leon.
So, your story is changing now. You are no longer selling land and claiming your land overlaps Isla Mariana. Is this correct?
Also, you have not answered the question. What title would you pass along to a buyer interested in buying land today at Tamarindo Beach and Ocean Estate from the lots you claim and services with power and water?
We both know it can’t be the Undivided Agrarian Title. Please answer the question. Your answer needs to be only one or two words. Why is that so difficult for you.
You are splitting hairs on the proper title of the issuing authority.
Read the information contained on this web site:
http://www.intendencia.gob.ni/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227&Itemid=313
You probably need the new Certificate that replaced the Letter of No Objection for coastal and border property under Estrada’s new border protection regulation . The one that your law firm said was illegal.
Absolutely reasonable!!. Kevin is exceptional at rhetoric and working the grey area. Just by listening to Kevin, I thought the agrarian title was BS too. However, I had to do the due dilegence research to ensure that I could tell my investors in 100% certain terms, what the real story was. It wasn’t until I met the families that owned the agrarian title that everything changed. It wasn’t until I met the people that were run off the land in 2005, by the Eduardo (person that sold the title to Kevin, Maria, me, my brother and Rob the mal-located title). It wasn’t until I went to Mariano Guido’s house, and one room was completely full of documents relating to the false title of Eduardo, and his families history on the land…..it was an amazing moment in the journey! They had hopes and dreams for the land, but Eduardo took that all away, and they were simply not powerful enough to set the record straight. They are my friends and good people, and I do look forward to them enjoying the land in the future.
Some of the BS that kevin says, I almost believe, and I know the entire truth. The guy is an incredible salesman. But, there is a point when sales slows and production starts. This is the problem with his Seaside Mariana development. The world was his oyster! He is so controlling, that he couldn’t let someone run the production or development. So in the end, all these developments are simply marketing program…. the sales where so successful, that investors started to demand physical results on the land. “Conditioning the land” or “getting the permits completed” will only you buy you so much time. Too much overpromising in a country that can only provide realistic results. Nicaragua is awesome, but amenities at a development, must be realistic to the environment that you are working in. Kevin has not developed anything, so to believe that he can build a 330 room hotels, golf course, blah, blah, blah, are not real. Ted Cole & his group, bought it, then realized their mistake, and not wants compensation for being lied to. .
There is only black and white on the titles on the island and the only shade of grey is the Undivided 275 manazana agrarian title. There are multiple agrarian titles on the island, either divided or undivided.
John likes to tell a story about the divided agrarian titles but confuses people that it relates to the 275 manzana undivided agrarian title, which is the source of tension between Fleming/Rueda and the Bramwell brothers.
Fleming/Rueda have no issues with Eduardo Yrygoyen and our primary concern has always been to obtain all the necessary permits and letters of no objection to the lands known as Isla Mariana. This goal has been accomplished and when proper financing is in place, construction of the development will begin.
Currently, there is only 1 civil action brought against Kevin Fleming, Maria Rueda and Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort, S.A. and not multiple parties associated with a group of Edward Albert Cole.
We are pleased to sit down with Mr. Cole in Arbitration and discuss compensation for his investment with Seaside Mariana but we will not settle on a claim out of court in the amount of 2MM because of an irregularly filed lawsuit that was registered illegally.
I believe the word you want to use is “libel”, not “slander”.
Cypress: Are you by any chance an investor at Seaside Mariana and Isla Mariana? I can only assume that by all of your comments.
Kevin, I look forward to your APOLOGY AND FULL RETRACTION of all the falsehood you professed about our title.
You have switching the focus way from yourself, so I really hope you are a man of your word, and I can not spend my time on this site.
I put the information on the “Tamarindo Beach & Ocean Estates” facebook page, including the letter of no objection letter, plano and procuradoria letter regarding the mal-location of your Isla Mariana title. I also added afew more goodies for your buyers to view. If you were wise, you would join us, and pursue Eduardo, who collected a massive amount of money, for his fraudulent title(that you seem to think is fine).
John: Isla Mariana has taken the necessary steps to move forward from the past and embrace the future.
We are not interested in a war of words between you and your brother, continuing to prove the 275 manzana agrarian title as a fake and certainly not overlapping Isla Mariana or starting legal action against Yrygoyen.
The lands known as Isla Mariana can pass clear title, have received the necessary environmental permits to start construction and obtained letters of no objections for all parcels of land that originated from Yrygoyen.
Upon the successful application of financing, we can begin installing infrastructure according to our approved plans/permits and not the plans of your development that still require the environmental permit.
I congratulate you on the installation of power and water, perhaps in the future we’ll sit down and talk more about that subject.
Please refrain from future comments that are speculative in nature and misleading to the public.
We’re aware of your close ties to Edward Albert Cole and the Seaside Mariana Investor Union and would appreciate you not contacting the owners at Isla Mariana with your false claims and misrepresentation of the truth about their titles or the promise of a divided part of the fake Agrarian Title.
Please keep in mind the history of the 275 manzana undivided title was confirmed as irregular from the law firms of Taboada & Associados, Garcia Bodan and First American Title Insurance Company.
The information conveyed to you now and in the past about the Undivided Agrarian Title is well documented. Don’t shoot the messenger.
The desperation just gets worse. Someone from who is upset about Kevin Fleming not being able to leave Nicaragua is trashing tourism on the TripAdvisor Nicaragua forum by first suggesting that what is happening to Kevin could, and probably would, happen to any tourist. The most egregious posts were deleted by the author but are archived.
Now a second poster from Vancouver BC is there saying almost the same thing. Both authors use wording very similar to several commenters on this article. I don’t think it is a mere coincidence and wish it would stop.
As Kevin wrote “Seems like charging Fleming for fraud for marketing and promoting real estate sets a dangerous precendent for all real estate agents in Nicaragua.”
Did every Real Estate Agent leave when Jason got charged?
I still see all of the same ones in my town, and a few new ones. They are not selling in the developments that after 7 years (that I can speak of) still haven’t started, but the ones with good titles, roads, water, power and construction going on are doing well.
Shawn, quit the scare tactics, it makes you sound sad.
Kelvin,
Sad is how Jason was torn from his family and his life turned upside down in an instant while he was living and working in Nicaragua. Sad is how a innocent man was sentenced for to 22 years and wrongfully imprisoned for two years before set free. Sad is how an accusation without evidence or proof of wrong doings can destroy great things. Sad is what could happen to anyone at any time, as it did with jason, and Kevin.
Your ignorance related to “7 years and still haven’t started” clearly shows your lack of education and Development knowledge. This project started prior to the land purchase and has accomplished many great thing in the 7 years. Ask Carlos Pellas why it took a respected local businessman with an untold amount of money 6 years to complete the first phase of Guacalito de la Isla.
Certainly these are two completely different projects with separate visions, but the processes I am sure was the same. Both require much work behind the scenes, one that the simple minded would not see, or understand.
The vertical construction and the road pavers are the easy parts of development, thats why after 6 years of development including 14 months of construction they have completed the first phase of the $250-million, 1,670-acre low-density private beach community, which includes the following:
37 spacious accommodations, each with an ocean view, pool and private staff. Other resort amenities include Spa Mukul, a beach club featuring dining and lounge areas and a swimming pool; and the 18-hole Guacalito Golf Course.
Of course we all forget that Kevin started from scratch, created the master plan, purchased the property, marketed the country in a period of political uncertainty, created a brand, travelled the world, brought people to not only the projects, but every aspect of the region, from la colonia to petro nic. Doing this for the future of nicaragua and the benefit of the people. The fractional amount of money that this is really about is (Cole lawsuit) is disturbing in comparison to the irreversible damage it has done to Seaside Mariana, but in my opinion to the Country in a whole.
Shawn, I wasn’t talking about your project, there is a whole world out there away from your project. As with Kevin, you are so focused on yourselves that everything you read is about you. I was clearly talking about my town and the various projects and I do believe that if you re-read my post it says that.
To even mention the Pellas project in the same breath is laughable. Go do the research into “Why” Carlos Pellas built the project and in the process you will come across a lot of advice from him about how (as foreigner) to do business in Nicaragua.
This whole dispute certainly affects future investment in Nica…between this dispute and the cases of Jason Puracol and Eric Volz my retired friends and myself will simply buy igloos in Canada and throw away the sunscreen…..or maybe occasionally rent in Nica….but never BUY!
As stated above by Kevin, Maria Rueda and Kevin Fleming have no problem with the Eduardo Yrigoyen title. This is the real issue at Isla Mariana. Maintaining this positon without any analysis was the error made in 2005 that is the false foundation of the Fleming house of cards. Then selling this false title has compounded the error to the many millons of dollars. The Bramwells did analyze the Eduardo Yrogoyen title extensively. It has been manipulated by the surveyor and then moved from another location to the isla. In other words, mal located. In other words, the title is legitimite, but the location has been moved via a falsified survey accepted by the Leon chief surveyor. This is well known at the highest levels. Kevin was made aware of this fact in 2007, yet continued selling it, Followed by many “pay as you go” documents that Kevin continuely refers to above. If this entry appears online tomorrow, I will advise of the isla history from before 2004, which is over a year prior to Kevin arriving for his first island tour in early 2005. It is enlightening and clarifies the agrarian title is the only proper title in this middle third of this 990 acre island. The villian and perpetrator of the fraud is Mr. Eduardo Yrigoyen Senior of Managua. This is well known for years in Leon. This reality does not appeal to Kevin, as he would need to either a. Pay back his “clients” to about 4 million or b. Move them to another beach site or c. Buy the proper title or d. Sue Yrigoyen.
I would like to add that we welcome the deceived “clients” of Kevin to the Isla and want them to stay and build their dream home. We are working on a proposal to do so for presentation late 2013. We need to know who you are, where you claimed land is, how large it is and whether it is ocean or river. We need to analyze how much property is required to be transferred at a deep discount (from our perspective) to satisfy the Kevin clients. You can contact [email protected] or as the seaside investors union to pass your info along. The electricty will be complete at your lot side inside a few weeks. The water by the end of 2013. Being duped by Kevin does not mean that your dream is dead.
Welcome back Mr. Geoff Bramwell and whatever false identities you hide behind online. We take notice of your slanderous statements and blatant misrepresentation of the truth and will respond accordingly.
Your tune hasn’t changed and we’re familiar with your song and dance. Your close association with Edward Albert Cole and the Seaside Mariana Investor Union is well documented.
I suggest you refrain from adding fear to owners at the lands known as Isla Mariana. This development can transfer clear title to buyers, new policies of title insurance from Stewart Title were issued in the last year, the project has received full environmental permits and renewed in the last 18 months and all lands carry letters of no objection from the republic of Nicaragua.
Certainly, the story on the island is colorful but it’s time for you to move on. Please focus on your own clients and obtaining the necessary permits to complete your development.
Perhaps, just answer one question. What title are you selling at Tamarindo Beach and Ocean Estates?
1) Yrygoyen Title
2) Undivided Agrarian Title
You continue to be asked one simple question and evade answering the question. Do you have something to hide?
Fleming & Maria,
1) we are not selling land on the island & haven’t in several years. We decided several years ago to develop the land more, prior to commencing a marketing program. However, if I was, I would be selling possession & dominion. Dominion being both titles. So the answer is a) & b) .
Btw, Stewarts title insurance walked on your projects. It my understanding that all the havic created by your problems with lawsuit put them off of Nicaragua. Do you want to see a letter to that effect. (let me know as i can post, if needed). Again you are telling falsehoods about Isla Mariana being title insurable, which it is not!
Fleming, I posted a letter of no objection, plan, etc as per our deal. You were supposed to shut up now & provide public apology…this will be good, what load of BS do you have for me now? You are not a man of your word? (where’s your letter stating “false title?”…exactly, it doesn’t exist).
That letter of no objection is from one of the purchases of that title. As I know you will try to confuse the listeners. Plus all those letter regarding the mal-location of Eduardo’s title(your title) from the procuradoria, are based on the 6 month study done on the island, by the Nica govt. There is no grey area. So it’s already done, not sure why you are showing old documents from prior to the govt investigation! …oh, that’s right, you are sticking to your Fantasy….bottom line, if you were confident in your ownership, you would have & would be spending money on the land..you are not & we are! …don’t blame you, I wouldn’t spend a dime on land that I don’t own either. (infact, you should build your lala boutique units, as I would love to take them from you & finish them. They look comfortable.
Mr. John Bramwell: We have reviewed your documents you have posted online. Upon close review, your Letter of No Objection is for 37 manzanas and not 275 manzanas of the Unidvided Agrarian Title.
Furthermore, the lot survey is not registered from CATASTRO in the standard form. In fact, it reminds of the same document you presented to Taboada & Associados, Garcia Bodan and First American Title Insurance Company and rejected years ago.
I’m sure we’ll identify other defects in the documents you have presented. Our company has little time to waste on this issue so I simply suggest anyone interested in more information about purchasing land on the island visit the following link and do your homework on the Bramwell brothers.
Facts About Geoff Bramwell, John Bramwell, Tamarindo Beach Ocean Estates and Los Suenos Island Resort Deceit, Fraud, Fraudulent and Negligent Misrepresentations in Nicaragua.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/geoff-bramwell-john/criminal-justice-system/vancouver-british-columbia-10e54.htm
Fleming,
You own 10 mz of Eduardos 62 mz title, so you would go get a letter of no objection on 10mzs(not on the whole 62 mz title).
Same with this purchased of 37 mz from the 275 mz title, I would go get a letter of no objection on the 37 mz(not on the whole 275 mz title)… and that is what you are looking at. There are several letters of no objection on this title, but once one is issued, the title is authenicated with the Intendencia de la propiedad. Case closed!
To received a letter of no objection and for the 6 month govt investigation to happen, the plano must be registed in Catastral. Otherwise, nothing to really investigate. Your story was the title was false, not you are saying something else…typical!
But just for giggles, I will post a Catastral plano of all the lots in Catastral on the entire island. It was issued during that Procuradoria investigation, which I posted a picture of Maria at the initial meeting on the island. It will be confusing for people to view, as they don’t really know what they are looking at, but it shows all titles in Catastral and their locations.
Toboada and Associates is your lawyer firm. I don’t present anything to them. First American rejected title insurance at Isla Mariana, because of a) fighting between you and us was so brutal and unmanageable.
b) there were two overlapping titles(once they are non-overlapping, the title is insurable).
*show me any documents from Garcia Bodan, (who is currently suing you regarding Seaside Mariana), First American Title, or the any level of govt, stated the title is false! Doesn’t exist…..the only thing that exists is Kevin Fleming talking on behalf of everyone!
Your unwillingness to work together to clean up the mess at Isla Mariana/Tamarindo led to our fighting, loosing title insurance, no progress for your buyers, and general lack of progress on the island. Botttomline, your goal of decimating the Bramwells resulted in decimated your buyers investments.
“Our company has little time to waste on this issue” is so true. Totally, agree. Isla Mariana is a pimple on your ass compared to Seaside.
Btw, why you keep saying “Deceit, Fraud, Fraudulent and Negligent Misrepresentations in Nicaragua”… what is that. You make is sound like we have a lawsuit in progress. These are just your slanderous words, to make an impression on your buyers minds that the Bramwells are bad. Deceit, Fraud and Negligent Mispresentation are the titles of the lawsuits that you are currently facing in Nicaragua…they have absolutely nothing to do with me!
Stop referrring to ripoffreport.com which is just a continuation of your rantings. Your Ripoffreport letter are only partially factual & just your view of the world. Personally, I don’t read them, but they will be the “noose that hangs you” later. Keep it up!
Kevin, you should be trying to shut me up, not threaten me “that you will reply to every comment”. Sometime a poor deal, is better than no deal.
To all readers: We elected not do business with a Bramwell since January 2006 and that has proven to be a wise decision. A 275 Undivided Agrarian Title that was false years ago, does not make it real today.
A mountain of evidence from the past was reviewed by independent parties such as Taboado & Associatos, Garcia Bodan and First American Title Insurance Company to name a few.
If Geoff and John Bramwell could find a way to make their Agrarian Title legitimate they stand to earn millions, if not tens of millions of dollars in profit from their development. There seems to be one major hurdle standing in their way. As you may have guessed, based on the venom they’ve been aiming in our direction, that hurdle would be the truth.
They don’t care for our company, Kevin Fleming and Maria Rueda because we’re standing in the way of their duplicity. As you can tell by theiur loose grip on reality, the obstructionist behavior displayed by the Bramwells has made moving forward in a positive manner difficult over the years and they’re now targeting Seaside Mariana with false claims with no supporting evidence.
Fleming, where is my APOLOGY AND FULL RETRACTION?
Cypress & Maria, you want to know about my plan for IM. No problem, as really there is no Isla Mariana. Currently it is an overgrown rural plot of land with no serving and no substantial road. Nicaragua Developments apparently has no money to spend on the land, no money to spend on power, water, lot markers, construction, etc. They need to keep all their remaining money for lawyers, and relocation.
So my plan is to develop my land and as Isla Mariana is next door, it we will run the infrastructure through there too. By then the masses of people that have been defrauded will eat the Flemings alive. In the meantime, remove you both legally and physically from that section of our land. Rebrand it and never use the word “Mariana” in a sentence again. Your buyers can make contact with us and we can work out a suitable arrangement and they can stay or go. I anticipate some of your buyers will simply cut their losses, while others will want to remain. It is a beautiful spot, but as many of your buyers have not seen the property in years, their memory will be somewhat faded.
Interestingly Kevin all the websites and posts you tell people to look at were written by you.
Adah: The facts reported are the truth and independently verified by multiple parties with physical evidence. In any case, this article is about the unlawful detention of Kevin Fleming in a defamation case and the irregular activities of judges and not about Isla Mariana, Seaside Mariana, Fleming/Rueda feud that was played out 4 years ago and ancient history.
How is that going? Anyone else picked up on the story? Is it still a story? What happened in court? I thought last Wednesday was the “Come to Jesus Meeting”, where the truth was going to set everyone free.
John: Garcia Bodan is not suing us as you state below. Or is it that you are in bed with Ted and company and know of something that will be coming to us. Very interesting. We always new of your association with them but now you just made it public. Thanks.
*show me any documents from Garcia Bodan, (who is currently suing you regarding Seaside Mariana), First American Title, or the any level of govt, stated the title is false! Doesn’t exist…..the only thing that exists is Kevin Fleming talking on behalf of everyone!
John, do you really plan to take over isla mariana? How would that work, exactly?
Yes, I would like to know as well. I already know of your contacts and what they are doing. I have an idea of what you are planning already and I have evidence.
John:
So what you are saying in your post is that you are somehow going to steal the land located at Isla Mariana? You say that you are going to take over the land legally. How does that work? Since Isla Mariana has been bought legally? Who will you have to pay?
Geoff and John, I want to thank you for all of your posts. My criminal attorney in Canada is having a field day with all of your comments.
People wonder why we don’t want to do business with you. I don’t have to say anything because you are digging your own grave.
Don’t bother transferring your companies assets under other people’s name either. When this goes to court the judge will clearly see all of your intentions as he did with Karl’s case.
John, you have a real problem with the Flemings. However, omeone with your conviction and, apparently some evidence to the Isla Maraina boondoggle, should put that to the test and kick some ass with it to make that problem go away. It appears that someone is kicking a little butt at Seaside to do the same.
From what I know of the public tap dance of Maria and Kevin Fleming, the comments I read about them are more true than anything I have read about you. There are web post everywher on this couple. Their supporters appear to be family. I dont see much support from investors. After all, how could anyone bragg about nothing getting done..
Isla Mariana does not exist from my observations and reading the comments floating around. I have to say that you are a lot more believable than the Kevin and Maria team. Obviously, your composure is somewhat more stable than Maria’s. I havent seen you threaten criminal action because you don;’t like their comments. You might have been painted with a bad brush by them, and maybe you are not perfect either, but actions speak loudly enough. Your little project on the island has more to show than both of theirs.
My experience has been that guilt lies with those that hurl rediculous reasoning, boast evidence for percieved wrong doing and cannot factually back up what they throw out into the public domain. They are simply peacocking. There is only grand display of feathers and nothing but grandstanding to garner support from the nieve souls that would suck that up.
The Fleming camp, despite all this peacocking, talk a big story touting imaginary evidence and without ever proving anything. I came across a posting with pictures of Seaside. I already know there is the square root of zip at Isla Mariana after 6 or 7 years and millions collected. With the photos of Seaside I see the same. So considering the threats and granstanding with nothing for support, I have to say as an observer who has been around Nicaragua many times and checked out many projects, that there is a definite look of crooked activity there.
I have no idea why there are not more people sounding off about the issues at Seaside. It has scam written all over it. I think there is a real valid law suit in play against them with the fraud charges despite all the peacocking that Kevin has done with his and Maria’s illogical rhetoric and threats.
I have seen so much junk for so long now, I just could not resist an observation. I think more real people and investors should be on this site with their arguments and put the team of Maria and Kevin to the test with their ‘so publically touted’ evidence, and see who comes out clean. The proof is in the pudding.
I doubt this comment or this article will be well read, but it feels good to throw my opinion into the foray. I hope it stimulates the Flemings to put their peacocking in the court room and not out into the public domain. I also hope to see more investors jump into the fight and chase their investments instead of letting them be destroyed. I have never seen such self destructive behavior coming from anyone out of grade school before. That in and of itself makes a good case to bounce the Flemings from any project in Nicaragua.
Well said Ron. Not a single shred of evidence have they released other than pages of rhetoric. By now, the financial information he presented to the Canadians has circulated to everyone and it is clear that everything is a mess. His financial statements are so bad that a grade 10 student could do better. He continues to contradict himself with each additional post. He threatens to sue anyone who does not go to arbitration, but yet he has no money so how could he possibly pay the lawyers.
And now I understand he has gone into hiding a couple days before he is scheduled to appear in court to show that he is still in the country. The Nicaraguan courts have decided that there is enough evidence against him to proceed formally to trial, which is the best news I have heard in a long time. The sooner he and his wife are shut down the better off all developers and investors in Nicaragua will be.
Ron: Kevin has not gone into hiding. Ask Ted Cole,Carmen Elizondo and their lawyer where they where for the Defamation court hearing. Oh wait…thats right another excuse from their lawyer. Interesting how they have missed so many hearings. This case is full of irregularities for lack of a better word.
Lobo and Ron: You could not be further from the truth. If you are so sure of your statements why don’t you write your real name. You accuse and slander our company, Kevin and Maria but you don’t have the guts to say who you really are.
Why are the Bramwell’s even talking about Seaside? They are not investors or have a stake in it. We know why they have joined forces with the Seaside Mariana Investors Union and Ted Cole and Michael Edmonds. Anyone reading what is going on can see that.
Wow, I guess my post rattled someone. Maria, hard to change my name. It is the name my dad gave me. I cannot be more real then that. This site and others like it are for people to express opinions. It seems wherever I see your name displayed, it is always accusing someone, with an opinion that oppoes your opinon, with slander. I have seen nothing but slander eminate from your camp for years. I observe that you and your husband thrive on slander and intimidation, of the very people who supported you, the minute they complain about the promises that you have made to them that are unfulfilled. FOr the money they have paid you, I believe you have been well paid to listen to their complaints and it would seem normal protocol to take care of the needs of the people you needed to support your project. From my standpoint, there is nothing in your public displays and illogical arguments to the points scored by the opposing team. I can not even try to avoid seeing your internet ramblings. They blanket every google search that is made in Nicaragua for real estate searches. So, what I see is that you bite the hands that have fed you luxuriously for many years and expect that they will say nothing when you deliver nothing and when they tell the truth about those broken promises. You publish fantasy as truth, more specifically your husband, but you are pretty good at it as well. Your attempts at bullying and intimidating your opponents with threats of law suits and criminal slander, who would have been your biggest supporters had they been treated with respect and honesty, are now returning in kind with law suits. Seems to me to be one, or possibly many folks that have had enough and have sufficient reason to approach legally what you should have dealt with morally. You, your husband and your company are the most combative individuals I have ever had the experience to come accross.
Ron, I guess I was not clear enough. What is your last name? Lobo what is last name if that is even your name? You keep rambling and accusing but you don’t even have the decency of posting your full name.
I confess that I am busy building infrastructure at Tamarindo Beach and cannot keep up with all this. However, Ron is exceptionally insightful and Lobo direct and precise. Together I congratulate you in displaying reality. By the way, Tamarindo Beach completed the lot side electricity service hook up for 250 lots last week. Thus, all our clients have only order a meter and have lot construction power. This power project is 167 concrete power poles over 8.8 kilometers and has taken 6 years to complete, at a cost well over $300,000. Virtually a day has not passed in these years that I have not worked to move it forward in some manner. So, GOOD NEWS ! As Maria Rueda uses my name again, and yammers on about criminal lawyers, I must respond. Maria, you are full of misrepresentations. Looks like you and Kevin will be held accountable yourself for a massive collection of falsehoods. I would like to say that I am responsible for this gigantic, multi staged, multi front attack on your scam,……. but it is not me. I hardly know Ted. You are being attacked by a multitude of others that I do not know, nor where they are, nor how you ripped them off, nor how to contact them. It is multi faceted. Asking for a single last name, such as Ron or Lobo is simply mis understanding the broad scope and force that is descending upon you and Kevin. As we told Kevin when he asked for clemency last week, we have nothing to say to you, and cannot stop the assualt, and are not responsible for your demise. You are. It could have been so different. We gave you 3 years of peace to clean this up, while you defamed the Bramwell name. We stayed quiet and worked on Tamarindo infrastructure. Now tell me Maria, has Kevin fled Nicaragua? OMG what a mess you two have made.
Geoff you do realize that the customers you have sent emails to slandering our company since November 2012 will be reading your posting. They will realize that you are a lying when you say you have nothing to do with what is going on. You just keep digging yourself into a hole.
Geoff: How I’m I full of misrepresentations?
On Nov 12, 2012, at 9:42 PM, “Geoff Bramwell” wrote:
If you are invested in Seaside, Ted is offering a proposed solution. Oust Kevin, and he takes over. lives in Nica, married an influential Nica and has connections.
Geoff does this sound familiar? We have many other emails like this from you and your brother to our customers. You are clearly part of the Seaside Mariana Investors Union, Ted Cole, Michael Edmonds and other individuals. What do you have to say for yourself now?
Geoff: How I’m I full of misrepresentations?
On Nov 12, 2012, at 9:42 PM, “Geoff Bramwell” wrote:
If you are invested in Seaside, Ted is offering a proposed solution. Oust Kevin, and he takes over. lives in Nica, married an influential Nica and has connections.
Geoff does this sound familiar? We have many other emails like this from you and your brother to our customers. You are clearly part of the Seaside Mariana Investors Union, Ted Cole, Michael Edmonds and other individuals. What do you have to say for yourself now?
Thus, all our clients have only order a meter and have lot construction power.
I understand that you are not permitted for construction. 6 years to complete power poles, what is the timeline expectation on the construction. have you received permits to continue.
maria,
If I were to take my best guess by the style of writing and select choice of words I would almost bet that Nicaheat, Ron, John, and Lobo are the same person, or working from the same script.
Why are you focusing so much on the people and not the issues? The issues caused this to happen, not the people who make comments about it.
What I meant is why is Maria more concerned about who is making the accusations then about the accusations themselves? The accusations are either true or not, the people dont matter as much as the truth does. Why not focus on that?
JOHN,
I am not any of the above. Infact, I have no clue who Ron, Lobo, Cypress, John, Emily, Kelvin, Adah, Geoff, Georgia, Larry, Frank, Carlos, Susie, Juki, Bill Cummings, Joe Diaz, Billy, B Hicks, Car, Cat, Charlie, Josh, Kris, Shawn, Budsocket, Mike, Ken, Eric Jota, Lola. AND I DO NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE!
So what is your point? I assume that your point, is that these commenters are one big assocation of people, who are out to get the Kevin Fleming, Maria Rueda and anyone who put money into Seaside Mariana….. And the Flemings are the victims(wait a second, that is a pretty good way to finish the Fleming story…the Fleming are the victims…. of the Nicaraguan govt et al).
We seem to be past the “give me more time and I will sell more lots”, to get the financing for the project….So let me get this version right, the Flemings invested their entire net worth, uprooted their Canadian life, sold some lots, collected some money, gave valiant effort, and just couldn’t make it work!……. “I tried my hardest & we just couldn’t get the project back on the rails”…then we can blame the Nica govt, all levels of govt, Ted Cole, Bramwells, all the Nicaraguadispatch.com bloggers, Tim Rogers, the Nicaraguan bank system(for not financing), Canadian Govt for not helping get me out of Nicaragua and even Daniel Ortega for not supporting foreign investment……….now I get what your point JOHN, thanks!
Cypress (Taylor): You, Ted, Michael, Bramwell’s and the Seaside Mariana Investors Union along with other individuals are accusing us of very serious things. Do you have any hard evidence besides speculation? Besides what Ted and Michael are telling you? We have receipts of everything that has been spent and bank statement to back them up.
MARIA,
you commented that you who like to know your accusers?
Are you admitting that your are Maria Rueda of Grupo Mariana? Confirm that & I will provide my name & contact information.
I think it is so interesting to watch THE FLEMING SHOW! These marketing geniuses make their problems as public as possible. I can’t see a better way to destroy themselves. All their plans, both marketing & engineering, are based on a Nicklaus course & Wyndham Hotel being included in the development. Hence, the Grupo Mariana prized Marena plans, Development approvals, Government approval, Municipal approvals, Golf plans, Hotel plans, Condo plans, Master plans, Lotifcation design and engineering(roads, water, electricity, sewage, cable, internet) investments are officially 10% of the value that they had 6 months ago.
Kevin was King of Nicaragua in October and now he is “being held against his will in Nicaragua. He went from driving the bus to being underneath the bus. He went from proud BMW owner, to trying to hide his BMW. Grupo Mariana has gone from Champion to Thief. Maria has gone from successful CEO to single house wife. Grupo Mariana Foundation has gone from 5% of sales community program to a fraud marketer. Seaside lot owners have gone from happy retirees to ponzi scheme victims. Isla Mariana investors have gone from landowners, to foreigner clueless of who owns what. The Fleming/Rueda name has gone from Hero, to Zero.
THE FLEMING SHOW has led to a lot of people not wanting to talk about their investment with their spouse and to investors who wished they never looked at Nicaragua.
As the legal door shuts on Mr. Fleming in Nicaragua, he is going to have to make a huge decision…stay and fight in Nicaragua, or flee over the border. This is a deeply personal family decision. As the noose gets tighter on Kevin, their decision becomes real. Kevin may have to decide, risk jail in Nicaragua or International fugitive. Nicaraguan legal system Versus the Canadian legal system….but if he runs, Seaside is over!
In the meantime, he will do his best to deal with his “believers” with whatever arrangements possible. However, I have a hard time seeing any further investors believing in the Seaside Mariana dream and bank rolling Kevins comeback. These investors know that they are in a bad situation…either hope for the best and stay on board OR jump ship. Stay on board and trust Kevin. Jump ship and join the “attackers”. The next short period of time will be paramount to clarify the best route. If the Plaintiffs’ continues to win, then the “stay on board” crew will loose virtually everything. If the Defendants, make a legal comeback, then Kevin will be allowed to leave Nicaragua and continue selling lots & parcels of Seaside. I’m not sure how much further the “stay on board” crew get from the deal, other than continuing to the dream….especially considering that there are apparently more Plaintiffs’ in the hallways.
Likely, he will promise future income (ya right), more land/lots (possible promised to another, only Kevin really knows), bigger or better pieces of land (of which can not be registered and will again have to trust Kevin), promises of repayment based on selling all or part of the Seaside land (again, you have to wait & trust Kevin/Maria to repay you). Meanwhile, as the “believer” investors wait on their repayment promise, the net over Kevin gets tighter and more constricting. I’m sure the Seaside Mariana land is very beautiful and full of potential, but that is the story of everything in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is the land of opportunity and potential. Potential doesn’t pay the bills. It takes an incredible force to make it happen, and it just looks to me, like that ship has sailed.
THE FLEMING STORY is an episode of “American Greed” on a sat night!
Nicaheat: I can only assume you are Geoff or John Bramwell since you have been posting since 2007 in Nicaragua Living attacking Kevin and Maria at Isla Mariana. Why would you keep writing without any proof?
Wow, thanks for your prompt rely! I just posted 30 minutes ago.
Anyways in response to your comment, I posted four times on NicaLiving.com regarding your fiasco Jan 4- 7th, 2013. Never before, and never since. This site is more active and interesting!
In reading your reply, I can’t help but refer to your (or Kevin’s) statement above, about Slander. It was something like, “its not slander, if the statement is true!” By stating “that you assume that statement was made by Geoff or John Bramwell”, aren’t you slandering them? Especially considering that it is not true.. By your own definition, it is slanderous.
Also, as per your comments, I searched “Isla Mariana” and “Seaside Mariana” on NicaLiving.com and reviewed all the past posts on all the entries. There were none from the Bramwells (atleast under their names) and most of the posts were your Husbands statements. Again, your statement is not accurate and there was nothing on NicaLiving going back to 2007. I saw nothing that looked to be anyone discrediting Isla Mariana.
While reading those NicaLiving posts, I came across some interesting issues. One is the Seaside Mariana Foundation. I am curious about this amazing inititive. According to your NicaLiving entry(2008/7/22), Kevin documented the following:
“Still others said they were impressed with Seaside Mariana’s social-development foundation, which is helping to build schools, teach job skills and reforest the surrounding areas. The foundation will be financed, in large part, through the sale of 24 prime lots, which will infuse millions of dollars into the social program. “
Did Grupo Mariana sell any of those lots for the foundation? Does the foundation have an account balance? Did any of the 5% of revenue at Seaside make it into the foundation? 5% of over $11-25 million is quite a good amount. I assume you are the signator on that account? Did any schools get built, reforest anywhere or villages get assistance? Did anything really happen with this or did it not really get rolling?
Nicaheat: Unlike your comments which is considered slander my comments are true and I have plenty of evidence to back them up. Do you?
Nicaheat:(Bramwell): You keep posting with out any proof.
John, thank you again for giving us more evidence by sending your emails from your Canadian Business email account. http://www.brammybros.com/
From: John Brammy
Date: March 1, 2013, 7:23:04 PM CST
To: Kevin Fleming
Looks like we are going thru it again. But I will reduce my comments, but you talking shit about my title is not permitted.
Sorry dude.
You are not a bad guy at heart. Karl f***** us for $500k, and Ted et al, is gonna do a lot worse to you. Thanks again for inviting us to invest in Nicaragua!
Sent from my iPhone
Following is an email that I came across from none other than Mr Kevin Fleming “I’m being held illegally in Nicaragua” , discussing the finances of Seaside Mariana up to the end of June 2012.
From: Kevin Fleming [mailto:[email protected]]
Subject: Re: | Seaside Mariana
With regards to the finance of the development, we talked briefly of where funds have been spent but in order to protect the privacy of our company, we can’t disclose publicly through email, financial statements of the inner details of every expense of the last five years
We are not holding back financial information but have offered to set up a time to go through the finances in detail. Simply put, I don’t want files floating around in the Public View or loose emails with inaccurate information. Having said this, I can share the following combined 5 years of information with you ending June 2012:
Total Revenue (Sales & Contributed Capital) $21,401,293
Total Sales Cost/Refunds/Commissions
$4,051,061
Operating Expenses
$9,393,175
Interest Before Taxes
$25,676
Taxes $745,379
Land & Equipment
$5,923,140
Net Income $1,254,862
Please keep in mind that the investment capital raised from the Charter Member Program only reached 3.6M after refunds and commissions and the last sale was made in January 2008. On a personal note, Kevin Fleming has contributed a combined total during the past five years of US $2,238,350.
I trust this message provides even further details about our operations and general nature of your investment with Seaside Mariana. It is important you do not think of your capital raised as a purchase in a beachfront condominium rather an investment in the overall development of Seaside Mariana. In exchange for the opportunity to purchase real estate at cost with special benefits not made available to the general public by paying all your cash up front rather than on completion of a specific real estate unit.
Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Bye for now.
Sincerely,
Kevin I. Fleming | Chairman
Grupo Mariana S.A.
Segunda Entrada a las Colinas
de la Iglesia 1c al Norte
1 1/2c al Este, Calle Prado Ecuestre
Casa No. 325.
Managua, Nicaragua
+1 (786) 245-6535 US Office (Direct)
+1 (505) 2-276-2028 Nicaragua Office Tel.
+1 (505) 2-276-0291 Nicaragua Office Fax
http://www.grupomariana.com
How’s that for proof of the Total Revenue? And how did Kevin, who I have heard was a paint salesman, contribute the following “On a personal note, Kevin Fleming has contributed a combined total during the past five years of US $2,238,350.”
Thought the public would enjoy this read.
Georgia: I will say it again. We have receipts and we have bank statements. We have nothing to hide only to be cautious of people that try to manipulate the facts. All that I hear are accusations with no evidence. I have to hand it to Cypress, Bramwells, Nicaheat and the others bloggers you have done a great job in slandering our company and names. But unlike you we have hard evidence.
That appears to be an email from your husband to an investor. Exactly, what type evidence are you wanting? These are written words from your partners mouth.
Wow! From an outsider’s viewpoint (who none the less owns property In Nicaragua):
The Bramwells are walking the walk; the Flemings and Ruedas are talking the talk (and HOW they can talk!). These are some BS’ers! With this pair on their sides the Nazis might not have lost WW II.
The invective and name calling from the Flemings, Ruedas and their proxies (“Emily” comes immediately to mind) reminds me of that old joke:
What does a liberal do in a last ditch effort to avoid losing an argument? Answer: Accuse you of being a racist.
Name calling is always a sign of being on the weak side of the argument, and even more worrisome for the Mariana investors, proof of a weak intellect. One doesn’t win an argument through bullying, intimidation and threats of frivolous lawsuits, but by presenting credible arguments.
Show me the beef!
I’m just pleased that I didn’t give the Fleming / Ruedas any of MY hard earned money, and I feel for those who did and are now about to take a painful bath (painful bath, not that great a metaphor – -someone can surely do better, like Double Dip Shellacking, or a 2km Trip Through The Wringer).
Thoughts, anyone? I mean, on appropriate metaphors .. . .
I must say, John, that I mostly agree with your observations except one- I thought the joke was:
What does a Conservative do when confronted with facts?
Call you a Liberal!
Or Bramwell, et al.
John Shepard you are a very opinionated person, see you on a few of the blogs , why don t you get a life or get a real job or is blogging your job it appears that this subject has been flogged so much it has lost its punch and become boring, as boring as all the he said she saids thrown about
Frank: Is this from one wife to another? Your husband has already threatened my life on this public blog. Yes I know who you are “Stop selling snake oil”.
After spending an hour or more slogging through the posts, following links (many of which went nowhere, but were touted as “proof” of a poster’s point), and observing the one sided invective . . .”your name should be bozo, not lobo” .. ., I felt entitled to state my opinion.
What you won’t see in any post of mine is a homophobic slur, such as: “Frank: . . . Your husband has already threatened my life . . I know who you are . . . .”
In terms of getting a life, I’m retired, although I also have a farm in northern Nicaragua, and an IT business in the US. AND, I counted three prior “soni” posts (Feb 23; 24; 25) to my one, all of which were “shoot the messenger” efforts. John Shepard is my real name, incidentally.
I don’t find the thread boring at all, but I do lament another nasty scab on property development and sales in Nicaragua. Although I’m not overly sympathetic to those investors who would give Mr. Fleming their money without sufficient due diligence, especially more recently, in the end it will be Nicaragua that takes another hit as a dodgy place to invest.
What the heck are you talking about? I threatened you Maria? Wtf? I don’t even know you?
Are you loosing your mind?….sellling snake oil? I assume that you are adding comments after a half bottle of wine!
Anyways, it seems as though this story is finally calming down……or the Flemings have to focus on their legal problems
Frank: You say you don’t know me but you have the nerve to write slanderous statements. Don’t try to back track. I have evidence. The manner in which you write tells the story of the type of person you are.
FYI, Kevin Fleming’s criminal fraud trial starts this Monday morning in Supreme court in Managua. It is all in Spanish, so hopefully Kevin has a good legal team.
Nicaheat: Get your facts straight. I wonder what you have to gain from your postings? I can only guess who you are.
On April 3, 2013 the trial of Kevin Fleming defending the accusation of fraud was postponed to April 25, 2013. As of April 4, 2013, no evidence (not one document) to support the accusation against Fleming has been submitted to the courts by March 13, 2013 as requested by the judge in the matter. There’s a good reason for this, that’s because there is no evidence to present against Fleming.
On April 8, 2013, the preliminary hearing regarding the accusation of Defamation against Kevin Fleming may take place. I say maybe because Edward Cole and Carmen Elizondo have successfully delayed the initial hearing since February 8, 2013 three times rather than face the reality of their false accusations and having Fleming illegally held in Nicaragua with an immigration restriction prior to any further accusations of fraud filed on February 15, 2013.
I wonder what Carmen and Ted are really after? Oh wait I know…we have been told numerous times..they want Seaside and now Isla. I wonder how they will be able to achieve this. Any thoughts anyone?
Maria asks:
.” . . .they want Seaside and now Isla…
I wonder how they will be able to achieve this. Any thoughts anyone?”
Well, if they have the title . .. it seems to turn on that. But then again, this is Nicaragua, and if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, there’s a very good chance it’s not a pato but a pavo.
My opinion on the fraud allegation (which I concede isn’t worth even the proverbial two cents): This is more a matter of 1) economics (in respect specifically to the downturn that punctured the pyramid scheme that many of these developments have traditionally been. And this business model is by no means unique to Nicaragua);
2) mis-management and mis-judgement on the part of the Grupo Mariana principals in the allocation of available funds. If even a small fraction of the sales proceeds had been invested in infrastructure, and just a few owners were living on the property, -albeit with solar power and trucked-in water, allegations of fraud would be very hard to advance. “I just need more time and money to develop these spectacular properties ” might be a plausible argument.
As it is, the projects DO look very suspicious to the casual eye, particularly the conversion of Isla sales proceeds to purchase Seaside,, AND the question of good title strikes right at the heart of everyone’s fears of investing in Nicaragua. How can Grupo Mariana raise more money to continue on until the title question is resolved to the satisfaction of everyone?
Maria,
Isla Mariana is over. You gave your buyers investments away in 2007 to the Bramwells. Isla Mariana has been gone for along time. You aren’t maintaining it and just keep selling it. You don’t own it, theres no title insurance, no access to power, no drinking water, no roadwork since 5 years ago. You have a masterplan, house designs, a marena permit, letter of no objection from 2005 and a website.