Family members are expressing gratitude after Rep. Tom Barrett announced that he is visiting Mexico to help secure the release of a Michigan couple that has been imprisoned in Cancun for weeks.
The congressman posted the following statement on social media at 9:35 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2:
“This morning I departed for Mexico to insist on visiting Paul and Christy Akeo in prison and to demand their release after learning yesterday of their deteriorating physical condition.
I have been in regular contact with their family since I was made aware of their detention and I promised to do everything I could to secure their release and repatriation to America.
Enough is enough, after spending nearly a month in a maximum security Mexican prison over what amounts to a contract dispute on a time-share it’s long overdue for the Mexican authorities to release Paul and Christy."
Rep. Tom Barrett
Lindsey Hull, the couple’s daughter, and her brother, Mike Lemke, released the following statement thanking Barrett for his efforts in working to get them home:
“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Representative Tom Barrett for his courageous action in traveling to Cancun, Mexico to assist in securing the release of our parents from captivity. His dedication, leadership, and willingness to personally intervene in such a critical situation means more to our family than words can express.
Through four straight weeks of fear and uncertainty, Representative Barrett’s commitment to bringing our parents home safely provided us with hope and reassurance. He was the first local representative to simply make a phone call to our family and listen to our horrific situation and offer his assistance. His efforts exemplify his commitment to not only our family, but our community as a whole, and we are forever grateful for his support and determination.
Thank you, Representative Barrett, for standing by us in our time of need. We are all hoping The Chapur Family and The Palace Company will make the correct decision in releasing our parents and putting an end to the unjust process they have forced our parents to endure.”
Lindsey Hull and Mike Lemke
Paul and Christy Akeo have been imprisoned since March 4, and are being held in a prison on fraud allegations that stem from a timeshare agreement they signed with Palace Resorts.
Monthly charges were made on a credit card, but between August and November 2022, the hotel learned that the couple allegedly disputed charges totaling more than $116,000.
In addition, Mexican authorities say that Christy shared information on social media about how they had broken their contract.
Hull said that her parents were being held for “simply challenging wrongful credit card charges made by the Palace Company,” and claimed that American Express sided with the Akeos in this dispute.
“Palace Resorts breached the contract, and they’re retaliating and they’re extorting them because of it,” Hull said.
Barrett’s office has been involved in this situation, and the U.S. Department of State allegedly elevated the case as officials work to help the couple.
"After landing in Cancun this morning, I traveled directly to the maximum security prison where Paul and Christy Akeo are being held.
I met with them personally for an hour and learned of the horrific conditions they are facing — rubbled walls, overcrowded cells, toilets that don’t flush, and disgusting food. This has left them scared, frustrated, and struggling to find hope.
I assured them that I am doing everything I can to urgently secure their safe release.
Following my meeting with Paul and Christy I met with the president of the Quintana Roo Supreme Court to expedite any relief we can provide.
Thank you to the U.S. State Department for their assets and support on the ground to end this family’s nightmare, and I hope to have more to share soon.”
Rep. Tom Barrett
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