Thread: Mexcian Consulate in Dallas stiffs U.S. firm

Dallas real estate company sues Mexican Consulate

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, June 22, 2008

By ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ Al DÃ*a amartinez@aldiatx.com

A commercial real estate company is suing the Mexican Consulate in Dallas, alleging that it failed to pay for consulting services received in 2007.

A complaint filed on Monday before the U.S. District Court in Dallas states that Blake Box, president of a real estate firm, worked as a consultant for the Mexican Consulate throughout 2007, when it was in the process of finding a new and larger building for its offices.

Jason Dennis, Mr. Box's attorney, said that Mr. Box identified one of three buildings in a complex on River Bend Drive, near Mockingbird Lane and Stemmons Freeway, as a prospective site for the Mexican Consulate.

Mr. Box accuses the Mexican Consulate of backing out of a joint venture to purchase the three-building complex as a whole and later negotiating with a third party to buy the property.

"It's technically a lawsuit against the Mexican government, but diplomatic immunity doesn't apply when you're in the marketplace doing business. They're equal in the eyes of the court just as any individual or company is," Mr. Dennis said.

Eduardo Rea, a spokesman for the Mexican Consulate, said the consulate has no record of having signed a contract with Mr. Box.

"There's nothing that I can see that can back up" Mr. Box's claim, said Mr. Rea, adding that every contract between the consulate and third parties is recorded and needs approval from Mexico's foreign affairs secretary.

Mr. Dennis said there was an oral agreement between the two parties to pay Mr. Box.

"Agreements in Texas – whether oral or written – they're still valid contacts," he said.

Mr. Dennis said the amount of damages that Mr. Box would seek from the Mexican Consulate had not been determined.

Mr. Rea said the Mexican Consulate in December paid about $4 million to buy the property from Setco Enterprises Corp., which the Dallas Central Appraisal District still lists as the building's proprietor.

Glad to see someone going after Mexico for something.

Some bleeding heart judge will throw it out......

Mr. Box accuses the Mexican Consulate of backing out of a joint venture to purchase the three-building complex as a whole and later negotiating with a third party to buy the property.

Just out of curiosity, ...does anyone know if the US government is technically considered the legal owner of the properties that the embassies and consulates are located in Mexico? My guess is the arrangement is done as a long-term lease, but not outright ownership. Recall that the Mexican government has very strict laws prohibited foreign ownership of land in the country. ...Yet another level of hypocrisy which must be tolerated by our neighbors to the south...

Two lessons here. First, it's always a good idea to get everything in writing when dealing with a foreign individual, business or government -- especially Mexico, for obvious reasons. Secondly, as an old long-term Texas real estate broker, last I checked, all real estate agreements in this state must be in writing. Lawyers do their best to circumvent the law and admittedly, the law is aimed at licensed real estate professionals, but in the end, if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist.

Originally Posted by PhredE

Mr. Box accuses the Mexican Consulate of backing out of a joint venture to purchase the three-building complex as a whole and later negotiating with a third party to buy the property.

Just out of curiosity, ...does anyone know if the US government is technically considered the legal owner of the properties that the embassies and consulates are located in Mexico? My guess is the arrangement is done as a long-term lease, but not outright ownership. Recall that the Mexican government has very strict laws prohibited foreign ownership of land in the country. ...Yet another level of hypocrisy which must be tolerated by our neighbors to the south...

Yes all countries who have embassies in another nation is considered the terrority of said country. now as for as consulates. im not sure but im guessing its the same thing

Yeah - trust doing business with the Mexican govt. The smugglers and trafficers have a better reputation then the govt has. Even the mexicans all know this. What a stupid turkey.