from www.insidecostarica.com – Actor Steven Seagal left Costa Rica an unhappy camper, discouraged and disappointed after not finding the same hospitality as in the past, in his latest visit to Costa Rica, saying he felt treated as a criminal.
Seagal was in Costa Rica at the invitation of legislator Fernando Sánchez, who helped him with contacting presidenta Laura Chinchilla. However, all he got was her subordinates, the ministrso de Relaciones Exteriores, René Castro, the ministro de Seguridad, José María Tijerino and the directot of the OIJ, Jorge Rojas.
In a statement by way of his lawyer, Jonathan Picado of the law firm, Zürcher, Raven y Odio, Seagal was withdrawing his interest to invest in movie projects in Costa Rica, a subject that he had discussed on various occasions with former president, Oscar Arias. Picado also said that Seagal had had intentions of buying property in Guanacaste, but that may put off those plans as well.
“He leaves the country very hurt. He said that he doesn’t need Costa Rica and there are many other countries where he can invest. He feels that in Costa Costa he has been received like a criminal”, said Picado.
Picado explained that Seagal felt like he was being judged unfairly in Costa Rica following allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in the United States of women in the brought to light by model Kelly LeBrock as she recalls her own traumatic experience of being married to the actor.
According to court papers filed earlier this year, 23 year old former model Kayden Nguyen, filed a us$1 million dollar sexual trafficking and sexual harassment lawsuit against Seagal, claiming she was hired as “his” assistant but then used as a “sex toy”. Two other women have reportedly provided sworn declarations to assist Nguyen’s lawsuit. Among those women is Ray Charles’ granddaughter, Blair Robinson.
The actor felt that the issue was blown out of proportion and did not like it being brought up in Costa Rica, especially when “it is not a big deal in the US”.
In the end, Seagal never got to meet with presidenta Chinchilla. According to Picado, the actor has cooled off on investing in Costa Rica, but is expected to continue to offer his expertise in security matters in the future.