What did my friend do wrong?

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batich

Guest
Hi!

Here is my friend`s situation.
He came to Sosusa after several short-term visits with decision to stay permanantely.

He opened a real estate business. Mostly just to have some activity as the man is sufficiently well-off.

He rented an office and bought office furniture.

He found a man to work for him (or with him?). Also originally from his country so they could speak their native language.

Their agreement (oral, nothing was done on paper) was as follows: my friend finances the business, the other person works, and they split comission 50%-50% after each RE sale.

Sometimes my friend leaves for a month or two to his country for a change.

Before leaving last year he gave his partner about $15 000 for "operational expenses" (pay rent and any other exigencies).

By his return all the money were gone for casino and chikas.

My friend was not much angry about it and said - you`ll repay it from the first transaction.

But not a single transaction ever happened. There were two or three very good possible deals but his companion lost them all being drunk in the most important moments or just forgetting about appointments with clients.

Finally my friend realised that this business is not good for him and closed it along with his office and wanted just to enjoy the life. Also he was about to forget about those $15G that his "companion" owed him.

But...

THe other man initiated a legal claim against my friend for not paying him salary (amount of claim - $15 000).

There were several meetings with my friend`s lawyer and fiscal. A bit bothering but nothing serious.

THen my friend again left DR for a short time. In his absence he was summoned to police (or to fiscale) again, but was not able to show up as he was abroad. And for non-appearence now an arrest order is issued against him and he is afraid even to come back to DR not willing to go to jail.

What did he do wrong?

What can be done to resolve his situation so that he could return to DR peacefully safely and securely without ever thinking about any business activity in DR?

THank you!
 
Tamborista

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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A. He did not chose his friends very carefully.
B. He did not put the deal in writing.
C. He left the fox in charge of the hen house in his absence.
 
A

azabache

New member
Apr 25, 2006
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D.

Tamborista said:
A. He did not chose his friends very carefully.
B. He did not put the deal in writing.
C. He left the fox in charge of the hen house in his absence.
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D. He caused much happiness for an untold number of chicas.:cheeky:
 
B

batich

Guest
Yes, I know he is a bit big fat and stupid. But some help must be found for him. To bring him back. He is good. I miss him. I cannot drink by myself!
 
E

Eddy

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Jan 1, 2002
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batich said:
Yes, I know he is a bit big fat and stupid. But some help must be found for him. To bring him back. He is good. I miss him. I cannot drink by myself!
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Get him to email a reputable lawyer "Yea I know" and find out if in fact he will have problems when he arrives. If not, no big deal. If yes, have the Lawyer sort it out. Should not be a major problem. I doubt very much the "Culprit" has done anything.
 
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batich

Guest
His lawyer is sorting it out now. But I am not sure how reputable she is.

And what to do to stop that person`s harassment? During all their cooperation he took from my friend 500-1000 pesos practically every day for personal expenses.

We were told that DR law is always on the side of workers.

And because of this workers often demand money even if they were paid in full.

And either won in court or are paid what they want just to get rid of them.

Is it true?
 
M

MrMike

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Mar 2, 2003
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Everybody has to learn this the hard way doing business in the DR. Dominican workers are "the gift that keeps on giving". Fire them at the first sign of trouble and never look back.

The longer you keep them around the more its going to cost to get rid of them.

They always put their best foot forward too, so take a good look at it, if you don't like that foot trust me; the other one is worse.

Oh, and once you are being sued for liquidation you have already been screwed. 99 times out of a hundred you have to pay what the worker asks for, if you prolong the issue you may have to pay much more.

Definitely get a lawyer involved, but not to try to get out of the payment, just to make sure that's all you are going to have to pay.
 
B

batich

Guest
Now I understand why another friend of mine is bringing two handymen from his country in Europe to do renovation to his eight small appartments despite paying over 1000 each for air travel and other their living expenses.

Instead of dealing with any dominican construction company.

It was a mistery for me.

Is there any possible way for a gringo not to be defrauded by locals in this country?

Or the best just to keep low profile, to rent,to drive some basic Toyota or Honda and to communicate with few very close friends/girlfriends only?

I love this Forum! I see I had so many misconceptions about dominican people.

Thank you everybody for sharing your experience!!!!!!!!
 
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MrMike

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Mar 2, 2003
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Your friend is not necessarily being defrauded. Rediculous liquidation costs are a legitimate hidden cost associated with cheap Dominican labor. If your friend was foolish enough to do business in a country without doing basic reseearch into the legalities involved then whatever he pays he will be getting off cheap.

I know how he feels, I was in his situation once, I paid. I learned, and even so I have often had to pay more than I felt I should.

I have about 30 employees currently and I make sure that all of them are at least worth what it would cost me to fire them before I decide to keep them around long enough for them to accumulate significant liquidation costs. (generally 90 days - but by now I can tell if someone is going to be worth it within a couple of weeks)
 
D

DominicanScotty

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Jun 12, 2004
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It's not always the Dominicans

batich said:
Now I understand why another friend of mine is bringing two handymen from his country in Europe to do renovation to his eight small appartments despite paying over 1000 each for air travel and other their living expenses.

Instead of dealing with any dominican construction company.

It was a mistery for me.

Is there any possible way for a gringo not to be defrauded by locals in this country?

Or the best just to keep low profile, to rent,to drive some basic Toyota or Honda and to communicate with few very close friends/girlfriends only?

I love this Forum! I see I had so many misconceptions about dominican people.

Thank you everybody for sharing your experience!!!!!!!!
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There are many ex-pats that lay in wait and prey on unknowing newcomers that wish to come here to set up their life. They offer you all kinds of get rich schemes and just watch you lose all your money. Then you leave busted broke and they just wait for the next one to touch down in that airplane.
It's these pieces of poop that usually are the ones that will screw you the most
 
B

batich

Guest
very possible you are right.

At least the man who stole $15G from my friend and tries to blackmail from him another $15G is an ex-pat (without any legal status in DR).

Originally from Azerbaidjan (I doubt that anyone here ever heard about this mountain country next to Georgia and Armenia). First for some reason he told me that he is Georgean. But when I spoke to him in Georegean and he could not he had to tell the trouth.

He also spent some time in Germany (had to leave Germany due to conflicts with Law) and speaks a primitive German. But enough to work as a guide for German sex-tourists to Sosua.

His Spanish is good, that is why my friend (who himself is too lazy to learn and speak ANY language at all) has chosen him.
 
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DominicanScotty

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Jun 12, 2004
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As I have written

batich said:
very possible you are right.

At least the man who stole $15G from my friend and tries to blackmail from him another $15G is an ex-pat (without any legal status in DR).

Originally from Azerbaidjan (I doubt that anyone here ever heard about this mountain country next to Georgia and Armenia). First for some reason he told me that he is Georgean. But when I spoke to him in Georegean and he could not he had to tell the trouth.

He also spent some time in Germany (had to leave Germany due to conflicts with Law) and speaks a primitive German. But enough to work as a guide for German sex-tourists to Sosua.

His Spanish is good, that is why my friend (who himself is too lazy to learn and speak ANY language at all) has chosen him.
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Azerbaijan, yes familiar with where it is. He could have been from Mars as it makes no difference where he is from. He appears to be someone that is so much like many other predators who love countries like this where they can spread their filth. Don't fret, you too will meet your share of them as there are boundless amounts of them here.

Good luck!
 
B

batich

Guest
I love Brooklyn!!

I already did met my share in New York.

I love Brooklyn now so much!! It is very something , trust me!! With all dominican and other caribbean crooks taken together it won`t make even 1% of Brooklyn`s beauty.

Just trust my word, do not try to verify yoursef!
 
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Alfredo Guzman

Member
Apr 30, 2006
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From the information provided I assume that your friend has been accused of infringing the "Trabajos Realizados y No Pagados" Law (Work rendered and not paid), which carries penal sanctions. As others have already mentioned the first thing he should do is contact an experienced criminal lawyer. Our firm does not practice criminal law, but can refer him to a reputable lawyer in this area who may be willing to take his case. If you wish us to do so have him send us an email to info@drlawyer.com with a brief memo of the case.

Regards,

Alfredo
 
B

batich

Guest
Wow!!

Alfredo Guzman said:
From the information provided I assume that your friend has been accused of infringing the "Trabajos Realizados y No Pagados" Law (Work rendered and not paid), which carries penal sanctions. As others have already mentioned the first thing he should do is contact an experienced criminal lawyer. Our firm does not practice criminal law, but can refer him to a reputable lawyer in this area who may be willing to take his case. If you wish us to do so have him send us an email to info@drlawyer.com with a brief memo of the case.

Regards,

Alfredo
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Criminal!! Penal!! WOW!!!

I`ll contact him ASAP to advise!

And worker does not need to present any proof? Just enough to go to police and say - I worked for him and he did not pay?
And it can be done just against any person at will?

Why worker`s say is better than other person`s say?

Do I understand the situation correct?

Yes, it looks like he is accused of this.

I truly appreciate your time and explanation, Sir!
Sorry for this many questions, but I am shocked!

A person who did nothing but giving away money non-stop at first request may go to jail... Hard to believe. But as you say this I know this is true!!
 
B

Berzin

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
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Your friend could of just hired ME. I'm ready to relocate, don't drink(only socially, which in the DR will be every day) and would'nt think of spending money on chicas. ;)
 
B

batich

Guest
A bit too late...

Berzin said:
Your friend could of just hired ME. I'm ready to relocate, don't drink(only socially, which in the DR will be every day) and would'nt think of spending money on chicas. ;)
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We cannot reverse time. He found him himself somehow.

And also you do not speak my friend`s language. It was the only reason of his choice.
Regarding chicas I think you should reconsider your attitude.:pirate:
 
B

Berzin

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
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batich said:
We cannot reverse time. He found him himself somehow.

And also you do not speak my friend`s language. It was the only reason of his choice.
Regarding chicas I think you should reconsider your attitude.:pirate:
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Sorry to hear about your friend but with the sort of naiivete that he displayed it seemed like he was just begging to get taken for a ride.

If you are running a business, whether it's selling real estate in paradise or selling ice cream cones in hell, you have to commit yourself to it and never take a day off.

If he was gone months at a time and was willing to share his profits 50/50 instead of paying the guy a regular bi-weekly salary, and left him an expense account with no accountability, does this sound like any way to run a business?

And this is'nt even taking into account that Sosua and Puerto Plata are havens for criminals on the run. He should have checked his background somehow. How did he come to trust this guy, anyway?-"I trust you because you speak my language and we drink the same beer, so here's some cash and the keys to the amusement park?" Is that how he thought it all out?

Maybe your friend is not cut out for the DR. There are other places in the world where bloated, elderly germans can get laid and drunk.

And yes, I may not speak his language but a least I'm trustworthy. And I can take german classes in Sosua, so whats' the big deal?;)
 
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cobraboy

cobraboy

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Jul 24, 2004
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It's my guess the guy was never really in business in Germany. In the horror stories I've heard, the vast majority were clueless about business in general.

I believe the DR is one of the most difficult places to establish a business. There isn't much money there, the labor laws suck, the legal system is inhospitable, corruption is rampant, supply chains inconsistent, many people are just not trustworthy, and margins are slim.

Why foriegners think they can just plop in and think they will be successful is beyond me. Business in the best of conditions is very, very difficult. In the worst conditions it is a joke.

A foreigner would be much better off just establishing a charity instead of a business. At least when you lose your ass, it might go to a good cause.
 
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