Residents of the Laderas del Mar community in Tijuana are embroiled in a dispute following a change in administration on February 11, with accusations of financial mismanagement and attempted property seizure surfacing in recent days. The conflict centers around allegations against Carlos Reyes, the former administrator, and a new committee attempting to take control of the homeowners association. The situation highlights the challenges that can arise in managing private communities and the potential for disputes over finances and governance.
The current unrest began shortly after the new administration took over, with some residents accusing them of an irregular takeover of administrative duties and security access. However, a group of residents quickly came forward to defend Reyes and counter those claims, alleging that they themselves were the victims of wrongdoing. Sandra Urbina Toro, a homeowner in Laderas del Mar, claims she was the target of an attempted property grab by Reyes, who she alleges rented out her apartment without providing her with any of the rental income.
“When I entered the department, the furniture was gone; the tenant had moved out. The new owner arrived with his lawyer and the police, took me to court, and told me I had to settle it through civil proceedings. They asked me to abandon or face arrest. That’s when my ordeal began to recover my department,” Toro stated, according to reports from Zeta Tijuana. Toro was eventually able to regain possession of her property.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities
Beyond the alleged property dispute, residents are raising concerns about how homeowner association funds were managed under Reyes’ leadership. Jesús Medina, representing the provisional new neighborhood committee, claims there were significant irregularities in the handling of maintenance budgets and reports of conflicts between Reyes and other staff. Medina alleges a lack of transparency in financial reporting.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m facing exceptionally bad practices on his part. Bad practices in terms of fraudulent administration. He doesn’t submit reports, he doesn’t provide clear accountability, he doesn’t explain where the money is spent, how much comes in, he doesn’t provide anything,” Medina said, as reported by El Congresista. Residents have also questioned a recent assessment of 9,000 pesos per unit for painting work on 120 properties, totaling over one million pesos, with Medina suggesting the work could be completed for around 400,000 pesos after obtaining a separate quote.
Legal Representation and Security Concerns
The involvement of the law firm López Ortiz y Asociados, representing Toro, has also drawn scrutiny from some residents. While Uriel Álvarez, the attorney representing Toro, stated that the firm’s presence was solely to interview security personnel and enhance safety measures, some neighbors expressed discomfort with their involvement.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the hiring of Centinela Seguridad Privada, the community’s new security provider. One resident questioned the lack of community consultation in the hiring process and expressed worry over reported legal proceedings involving the company, stating, “Notice open cases in the public prosecutor’s office, with a number and name. That information is public. How can I say it’s not fraudulent? I’m worried that the person guarding my door obeys a company associated with those proceedings.”
A Dispute at the Core
Some residents believe the broader conflict stems from a personal dispute between Reyes and Toro, with other homeowners becoming entangled in the fallout. Another resident suggested that those managing the current actions may have engaged in threats towards previous administrative staff through López and his team.
As the dispute over administration in Laderas del Mar continues, residents await further clarification on the financial allegations and the future direction of the community. The next step will likely involve further legal proceedings and potentially a community meeting to address the concerns raised by homeowners. Readers can find updates on this developing story through local news outlets like Zeta Tijuana and El Congresista.
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