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A Michigan couple has been freed from a Mexican prison after nearly a month of detention amid a dispute with a timeshare company. Paul Akeo, 58, a Navy veteran, and his wife Christy, 60, were taken into custody shortly after their arrival in Cancun on March 4, as confirmed by Michael Gordon, a spokesperson for U.S. Congressman Tom Barrett.
Authorities in Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, accused the couple of defrauding a hospitality company. This situation arose from a 2021 timeshare agreement with Palace Elite, a division of The Palace Company, as previously elaborated by John Manly, the Akeo family’s attorney.
The Akeos assert that the allegations against them are unfounded. Their family claims the couple disputed certain charges made to their credit card tied to a resort that allegedly violated their contract by not delivering promised services.
Following their release, the Akeos are on their way back to the U.S., with expectations to arrive in Michigan late Thursday. Manly confirmed their release and expressed gratitude towards Congressman Barrett, Adam Boehler, and former President Donald Trump for their involvement in the case.
“President Trump became personally involved and wanted them home,” Manly remarked, highlighting that no American should endure what the Akeos faced. He suggested that without the efforts of these individuals, the couple might still be imprisoned.
A representative from The Palace Company did not provide immediate comments regarding the ongoing case following the couple’s release.
In a prior statement, Manly described the conditions of the Mexican prison as intolerable, stating the couple was being “held captive in a hell hole of a Mexican maximum-security prison.” Congressman Barrett echoed these sentiments after visiting the couple, criticizing the prison’s conditions as horrific.
Lindsey Hull, the Akeos’ daughter, had previously raised concerns over her parents’ health during their incarceration, stating, “Their lives are in danger. Their health is declining. We need to get these people home.”
The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the couple’s release but confirmed its awareness of reports involving the detention of two U.S. citizens in Mexico.
Lindsey mentioned that her parents were detained after being informed of criminal charges connected to a complaint filed by The Palace Company alleging fraud related to their timeshare. This situation has raised numerous questions regarding the validity of those claims.
Details of the Case
According to prosecutors, the Akeos allegedly canceled over $116,500 in credit card payments to a hotel chain in 2022 without proper justification for their actions. However, the Akeos maintain their case stems from a failure of Palace to deliver on promised services, leading them to dispute the payments through their credit card provider.
They claim that the resort breached their agreement, and Manly stated that the couple is facing repercussions for asserting their rights and expressing dissatisfaction with the company’s services on social media.
Documentation supplied by both The Palace Company and the Akeos’ legal team reveals ongoing disputes regarding the couple’s membership benefits and alleged contract violations.
The Palace Company asserted in a statement that it sought legal action after the Akeos disputed what it considers legitimate charges and claimed the couple encouraged other clients to follow suit through social media.
A cease-and-desist letter was sent to Christy Akeo in September, citing her social media activity as unlawful. Subsequently, the company referenced these posts when announcing the fraud charges against the couple.
Palace has also initiated a civil suit against the Akeos, seeking damages and affirming that all its actions were compliant with Mexican law. Meanwhile, Manly contended that the situation should be classified as a civil dispute, arguing that the arrest and imprisonment of the Akeos is inappropriate and unjustified.
Lindsey Hull expressed confusion over the connection between her mother’s social media activity and the charges filed against her parents, emphasizing the widespread discontent many have experienced with Palace Resorts.
“If thousands are dealing with similar issues, perhaps the company should reassess its operations,” Hull reflected. This incident raises broader questions about consumer rights and the complexities surrounding international timeshare agreements.
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