Dominican Damage by Justin F. Lazard

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic -- June 30, 08 -- Recently, I married my wife Shannon Fluet Lazard at a hotel called Casa Colonial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We spent roughly fifty-thousand US dollars on the wedding. When we went to the hotel to dispute a six thousand dollar charge for a pool party with open bar that had to be cancelled due to rain (the wedding contract had a 'Force Major' clause), the manager Luigi Di Ciaccio was stubborn and unwilling to refund the money. When confronted by my wife and called a thief, he retaliated by saying, "Your wife is stupid!", grabbing her arm and muscling her toward the door. Seeing my wife, seven weeks pregnant, in clear danger, I stepped to her defense, punching Luigi in the face. A scuffle ensued and, after an exchange of words, we left the hotel and got in our car. When faced with security blocking the gate, my wife became scarred and got out to open it. When she did so, a large security guard approached her with a wooden baton and began swinging at her. Panicked, I charged the car forward, forcing the guard to back off. Soon police arrived and, after a visit to the hospital, we found ourselves at the district attorney's office pleading our case. To no avail. It became imminently clear that we were amidst a cozy network of corrupt greed-mongers who were laughing diabolically as Shannon tried to tell her story. Needless to say, we got out of there and retreated to our apartment.

The next day, we hired a lawyer and went to file a grievance with the court for battered women, where we encountered another victim, a Dominican woman who'se husband had blackened her eye and bitten a chunk of flesh from her arm. I offered to pay for her representation and soon we were headed for our apartment. On the way, our lawyer, Milton Jimenez, received a call that Shannon and I were being sought for arrest. Shannon, understandably, panicked and insisted we go to the American embassy for asylum. I dropped her off, choosing to return home and face the authorities who I was warned would be waiting for me. There was no one there and I, along with the frightened Dominican woman, waited. Finally, after several very unpleasant hours, our friend returned to the apartment and told me he had driven Shannon, at the embassy's counsel, to the neighboring city of Santiago and checked her into a safe hotel.

The next day, we went to a reputable hospital and got a sonograph of Shannon's leg and arm which were enflamed and she had water under the knee. We returned to Puerto Plata and Shannon appeared on local radio and tv to tell her story. The next day, charges were suddenly dropped against us and the hotel began loosing reservations by the dozens. Currently, we are suing Casa Colonial for fifty-million dollars for pain and suffering (a sum that was laughed at but we feel is light considering the trauma incurred); the DA issued arrest warrants for Mr. Di Ciaccio and the guard, Mr. Minaya, who spent one night behind bars but has since been released. Luigi Di Ciaccio (who claims to be pals with the DR President Leonel) is still at large. Evidently, our case is trying to be squashed by local politicians, namely the DA Victor Mueses and the governor of Puerto Plata, Jose De Lo Santo Cesar (who happens to be cousins with one of the hotel's owners), and is no stranger to bribes. For over ten years he has refused to shut down two toxic electrical plants responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths in the area which have been extensively documented and proven.

As American citizens living abroad, we feel it is our duty to expose this horrid corruption and darkness and warn any travelers intending to visit the Dominican Republic to steer clear of the Hotel Casa Colonial and the entire region for that matter. If you do choose to come here, stay at the Meringue resort, a five star establishment with descent and honest management.

AFTERWORD: As of late, during our second meeting with Mueses, it was blatantly obvious he had been greased (the hotel's five lawyers had had a shady pre-meeting with him prior to the meeting). We did two more outspoken interviews with local tv about our nightmare and the ensuing corruption. As it turned out, Casa Colonial was unrepentant, offering only shallow apologies and no financial restitution. In the end, Mueses was all ears for the opposition and unwilling to listen to our side or consider any of the evidence we presented to him. There was also an anonymous attempt to buy off our lawyer for $6000.00 US dollars, which he refused. Additionally, one of the hotel owners even stooped as low as calling our lawyer's father (a prominent and influential local attorney) to urge him to get his son to drop the case, which he declined to do.

Contact: Justin and Shannon Lazard
tel: (917-532-3707)
email: jforcel@yahoo.com

Horrible story. For sure law enforcement in the DR could be better.

The problem with the hotel manager could have happened anywhere else in the world though.

You guys should sue the guys that are envolved in this, without harming the image of the whole region. It is an isolated event that could happen anywhere.

Damm keep us updated.also can you give us, the name and phone number of your lawyer, so that i can noted down. Good lawyers are hard to come by. Thank you

by the way, is this the Place? http://www.casacolonialhotel.com/

Sorry to hear about the problems you and your wife faced in dealing with these thugs. You have a very powerful weapon on your side that you have yet to use, that is the bad publicity that you could give that hotel in particular and the whole Dominican tourist industry in general. If you are from a large city, you should call (or email with details) the news desk of the local television news about this incident. If the minister of turisim got wind of this he/she would have to intervene , this would make the railroading by local official difficult if not impossible. The threat of going public with this story should be enough to change minds if it does not, then tell your story to the U.S. media. The hotel managers and the local cronies should know that you have leverage. Best of luck to you and our wife.

zak325

This story was disturbing as this poor woman and her husband could have lost their precious baby that even then with the amount of exposure of this story this manager and Hotel was not put out of Service nor any issue for his arrest was made leave alone the possible grievance and emotional hardship they have put this couple through which needs to be compensated according to the law.

I am or I was not even going to comment on this tragic incident for I am too emotionally angry to do so. Point being is, that is the usual work of DR's corrupted as most Dominicans who would rather sale their souls, conscience and moral to those Foreigners paying them good money. Thus the corrupted Dominican Police Force in DR, Dominican Human Traffickers , Dominican Sell-out Tigueres and much more and DR is not the only Country to be blamed in this.

It could have happened in so many other places which is why I speak for all these little Country who have lost their senses in contributing to corruption. Yeah Haiti is in it too, along with Jamaica, Turks & Caicos , Aruba, you name it...

lawyer Milton Jiminez - 829-849-4033 thanks for ur support! yes, that's the hotel.

I have been several time to the DR and have spent some times at this Hotel. I m really surprise to hear this story as my stays have always been extremely pleasant, and i always found management to be extremely professional and courteous.

therefore i tend to look at this story with a bit of hesitation and try not to be 1 sided.

After a little googling around, I find out that the wedding party consists of wealthy people (kids of wealthy people). More or less connected to hollywood night life. so i can imagine the kind of mentality they have. Loads of easy money and the attitude that goe with it.

Therefore I would like to suggest everyone to stay a bit calm and not to judge too fast. Like I said, having been in the hotel (and having recommanded that place to others) I m extremely reserved about how really all those events happened.

they re would be no excuse for anyone to hit a woman (being pregnant or not). And if that s the case, i would be the first one to be openly condemning it.

but i do find a bit fishy how well organised this whole bashin campaign is turning out. it all sounds so well prepared by a well paid lawyer !! And how odd someone so rich would want to think the best solution now is to ask for 50 million dollars !!!
I m also very unconfortable about the way Mr Lazard condescandantly speaks about DR. (the good US citizen giving lessons to the poor DR crooks). And for what I know, most management at this hotel happen to be europeans...

Let s see in the long term what really comes out of this. But let s not be judging when we only have 1 side of the story !!!

so far, i would still recommand this marvelous hotel to anyone, adn still think DRs are great and welcoming people !

I have been several time to the DR and have spent some times at this Hotel. I m really surprise to hear this story as my stays have always been extremely pleasant, and i always found management to be extremely professional and courteous.

therefore i tend to look at this story with a bit of hesitation and try not to be 1 sided.

After a little googling around, I find out that the wedding party consists of wealthy people (kids of wealthy people). More or less connected to hollywood night life. so i can imagine the kind of mentality they have. Loads of easy money and the attitude that goe with it.

Therefore I would like to suggest everyone to stay a bit calm and not to judge too fast. Like I said, having been in the hotel (and having recommanded that place to others) I m extremely reserved about how really all those events happened.

they re would be no excuse for anyone to hit a woman (being pregnant or not). And if that s the case, i would be the first one to be openly condemning it.

but i do find a bit fishy how well organised this whole bashin campaign is turning out. it all sounds so well prepared by a well paid lawyer !! And how odd someone so rich would want to think the best solution now is to ask for 50 million dollars !!!
I m also very unconfortable about the way Mr Lazard condescandantly speaks about DR. (the good US citizen giving lessons to the poor DR crooks). And for what I know, most management at this hotel happen to be europeans...

Let s see in the long term what really comes out of this. But let s not be judging when we only have 1 side of the story !!!

so far, i would still recommand this marvelous hotel to anyone, adn still think DRs are great and welcoming people !

"I m also very unconfortable about the way Mr Lazard condescandantly [sic] speaks about DR. (the good US citizen giving lessons to the poor DR crooks)."

Listen Buddy I'm Dominican and Mr. Lazard did no such thing. He merely stated what transpired and offered advice to anyone thinking of visiting the area. If I had a negative experience while on vacation you best believe I'm going to relate my feelings to others. It has nothing to do with a US citizen giving lessons to poor DR crooks. It's called calling a spade a spade. I believe MR. Lazard. Why? Because I'm familiar with what transpires in DR and his story is just plain typical.

It's interesting how you tried to twist Mr. Lazard's comments into an anti-Dominican thing. It makes me question what your real motives are and who it is that you represent.

PS condescandantly, when spelled correctly, should be condescendingly. We're just Dominicans but some of us actually know english

First, I find it amazing that you woudl not understand that it is somehow normal to keep calm before hearing both side of a story and not accusing anyone. It is very dangerous and disturbing to see names thrown out like that and approve by other when noone really knows the truth.

I dont know, and dont pretend to know. Therefore i will not accuse anyone or agree on anything. the only thing i know is that i know that hotel and all the times i ve been to the DR has always been a great time.

And for my english, once again, i m glad that you "as a DR know better english than me". congratulation !! it does not bother me and i accept it. English is not my main language and sorry for the mistakes ! just odd that you would "attack" me on this.......

this just shows the anger in here... just because i feel like doubting a little bit what a guy says....

i accept and respect anyone s feeling and their opinion, so please, do the same when i feel this angry bashing feels strange to me.

oh and please, do not start with "who are you representing" because this is the kind of argument that everyone can throw to everyone in here !! it makes not much sense.

If i was representing the hotel or the people being attacked, trust me, it would be much more agressively and probably through legal means, seeing the diffamation done on this forum

respect to you sir !