Other legal actions

The principal focus of this website is the governance of Costa Palmas, and in particular the M15 Proceedings and the Master HOA Accounting Proceedings currently before the courts of Baja California Sur.

However, Costa Palmas, companies associated with the development, and certain individuals connected with the project have also been involved in a large number of other legal proceedings in Mexico and the United States, both civil and criminal.

This page provides a summary of selected proceedings that are a matter of public record or have been reported by reliable sources. They are included because they provide historical and legal context that may assist readers seeking a broader understanding of the development.

Many of these proceedings remain ongoing, while others have been resolved by settlement, dismissal or other means. The existence of litigation does not establish liability, and allegations remain subject to determination by the relevant courts or tribunals.

As this website develops, additional proceedings may be added following verification through court records or other reliable sources. Readers who are aware of other relevant proceedings are invited to contact us.

GS 1975 LLC (Steve Anderson)

One of the most significant publicly reported disputes involving Costa Palmas concerns GS 1975 LLC, an entity associated with technology investor Steve Anderson, one of Instagram’s earliest investors.

According to publicly filed court documents, Anderson agreed to purchase a residence within Costa Palmas for approximately US$10 million and paid a deposit of approximately US$5 million in 2018. Delivery was reportedly scheduled for 2019 but did not occur. Court filings allege that construction remained incomplete, that additional payments were demanded before inspection of the property was permitted, and that club membership was subsequently revoked.

Proceedings have taken place in Mexico, New York and before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In December 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered the dispute to proceed to arbitration in Mexico. Claims exceeding US$20 million have reportedly been asserted.

TRG CP LLC (Amit Raizada)

Another significant purchaser dispute involves TRG CP LLC, an entity associated with entrepreneur Amit Raizada.

Public court filings allege that approximately US$4 million had been paid toward the construction of a residence that remained substantially incomplete. Mexican authorities reportedly carried out an official inspection of the property in 2024, and proceedings have included both civil and criminal aspects as well as related international arbitration.

The dispute has also generated allegations concerning judicial impartiality, including the recusal of one judge following disclosure of a long-standing friendship with counsel for one of the parties, and administrative complaints concerning subsequent judicial decisions. These matters remain separate proceedings before the relevant authorities.

Harvey Levin

Public reporting indicates that television producer and TMZ founder Harvey Levin also commenced legal proceedings arising from a Costa Palmas property transaction.

The matter has reportedly been resolved through settlement. Few public details are available.

Other Reported Purchaser Disputes

Public reports have also identified additional purchasers, including Spencer Rascoff, co-founder of Zillow, and Shakka Gillian, as having disputes relating to Costa Palmas developments. Limited information is publicly available regarding these matters, and this website does not attempt to summarize proceedings where court records have not yet been reviewed.

Irongate Counterclaim

In January 2024, Desarrolladora La Ribera, S. de R.L. de C.V., the Mexican development entity associated with Costa Palmas, commenced proceedings in the United States against Steve Anderson, Amit Raizada and the public relations firm 5W PR.

The action reportedly alleges defamation, tortious interference and related claims arising from public statements concerning Costa Palmas and the ongoing purchaser disputes.

Dottor Brothers (DGU Baja)

One of the most unusual proceedings publicly associated with Costa Palmas concerns the Dottor brothers, principals of DGU Baja, a construction contractor involved in work at the Amanvari development.

According to public reports, a subcontractor and a notary public attended the project in 2022 seeking payment of approximately 24.9 million pesos allegedly owed for construction work. It has been alleged that both individuals were unlawfully detained and assaulted while at the site. Criminal complaints were subsequently filed, and the matter has reportedly become the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by authorities in Baja California Sur.

The Court has not determined the allegations, and criminal proceedings remain separate from the civil governance proceedings discussed elsewhere on this website.

Sánchez Navarro Family Land Dispute

Separate litigation concerns ownership of land associated with the Costa Palmas marina.

According to publicly available records, members of the Sánchez Navarro family commenced proceedings seeking nullification of title relating to land incorporated into the marina development. The litigation reportedly dates back to 2009 and continues under proceedings in Baja California Sur.

Public reporting indicates that the court ordered registration of certain judicial decisions in the Public Property Registry, while further proceedings concerning implementation have continued.

Environmental Enforcement

Costa Palmas has also been the subject of environmental review and enforcement proceedings by Mexican authorities.

Public reports indicate that PROFEPA temporarily suspended work on four projects during 2021 relating to alleged activities within the federal maritime-terrestrial zone. Environmental organizations have also raised concerns regarding mangrove removal, diversion of the Santiago Arroyo, fragmentation of environmental impact assessments and public consultation procedures. Costa Palmas and associated entities have disputed aspects of these criticisms and continue to obtain environmental approvals for later phases of the development.

Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico

Although unrelated to Costa Palmas, the collapse of the Trump Ocean Resort Baja Mexico project is frequently referenced because it involved Jason Grosfeld and Irongate before the acquisition of Cabo Riviera.

The proposed Trump-branded condominium development near Rosarito attracted more than 190 purchasers, who collectively paid deposits exceeding US$35 million before the project failed during the global financial crisis.

Substantial litigation followed in California. In 2012, Irongate reportedly agreed to a US$7.25 million settlement with purchasers. Court filings also included cross-claims by the Trump Organization alleging that approximately US$6 million in purchaser deposits had been used to service the project’s land mortgage. Lending institution MKA Capital Advisors similarly alleged that purchaser deposits had been improperly diverted. Those allegations were made within the litigation, and the proceedings concluded without judicial findings on many of the disputed factual issues.

Before undertaking Costa Palmas, Irongate developed a number of luxury projects in Waikīkī, Hawaii.

Public proceedings arising from those developments included purchaser disputes, arbitration proceedings and bankruptcy proceedings involving project entities. These matters principally related to condominium purchase agreements and project financing and are not directly connected with Costa Palmas.

This page is intended to serve as a developing reference for publicly documented legal proceedings relating to Costa Palmas and associated entities.

As additional court records become available, further proceedings may be added, including:

• Additional purchaser litigation.
• Commercial disputes involving contractors or suppliers.
• Appeals and appellate decisions.
• Administrative proceedings before government agencies.
• Environmental enforcement actions.
• Criminal proceedings where supported by public court records.