A couple from Michigan is now suing a resort in Mexico after being held for a month due to a dispute over a timeshare. They claim the legal system in Cancun was manipulated against them, alleging that armed guards pressured them into signing a non-disclosure agreement while in custody.
Paul and Christy Akeo assert that Palace Resorts LLC filed false charges against them as retaliation for a disagreement over a $100,000 timeshare issue. This stems from a “secret legal strategy” the resort initiated after the couple disputed 13 credit card transactions worth over $116,000. In 2022, their credit card company sided with them, deeming their claims valid.
The couple purchased the timeshare in Cancun as part of a deal that allowed them to resell it. They earned a bonus stay at the resort in return for bringing in significant profits through sales driven by their referrals.
“They loved travel and adventure,” shared Lindsay Hull, their daughter. “Their passion included sharing experiences with others,” she added, reflecting on their timeshare venture.
However, things soured in March 2022 after the resort altered the contract terms just a few months earlier. The resort accused the Akeos of violating their membership and suggested they pressured other brokers to falsely report issues to credit card companies, claiming they hadn’t received their services.
The resort proceeded with legal action, alleging the couple had canceled certain transactions without valid reason. The lawsuit states that the Akeos did not inform the credit card company of any fraudulent charges.
On March 4, during what was meant to be a vacation, the couple was arrested in Mexico. They ended up in the notorious Celesco prison for a month, surrounded by serious offenders under dire conditions, according to their claims in court documents.
The couple, both with extensive military backgrounds, reportedly found themselves in cells that were unsanitary and unsafe. Hull mentioned that her mother lost considerable weight due to poor conditions and lack of proper food, despite previously informing the prison about her allergies.
After weeks of inmate struggles, Hull worked tirelessly with her brothers to bring attention to their plight, reaching out to government officials for assistance. They had minimal communication with their parents, initially going days without contact.
Eventually, the couple was brought before a Cancun court. There, they were reportedly coerced into signing a settlement that included a non-disclosure agreement, one that would prevent them from discussing their experiences, pay the resort, and limit future disputes.
Hull expressed concern over the limitations placed by the NDA, stressing that her parents deserve to share their story. The Akeos believe the agreement was signed under duress, feeling they had no choice if they wanted to avoid prolonged imprisonment.
Now, they’re seeking damages for what they describe as malicious prosecution and emotional distress caused by the ordeal. Hull insists they deserve accountability for the situation they faced.
Meanwhile, a representative for the resort has denied all allegations, stating that the Akeos had already resolved the dispute earlier this year and implying that their subsequent legal actions violate prior agreements.
