Tidal Wave of Complaints Hits Cape Cod Timeshare

BOSTON -- Timeshare owners from New York to Cape Cod are looking for timeshare developer Robert Reposa.

"Where is the money?" Sybil Sharaf demanded. "That's what I would like to know. Where is my money?"

"I don't understand why this man has not been charged," Sue Hilton said.

Reposa is the person behind Beachside Village in Falmouth. His company sold timeshares to hundreds of people and promised big returns, which for many have never come.

"They told me that on the years that I wasn't able to go down to the Cape, I would be able to rent the property for at least $2,000 for the week," Hilton said.

But Hilton said management didn't advertise, so the place never rented. And when it finally did for the first time last summer, she never got the proceeds or even a response to dozens of calls and letters.

"Nothing," Hilton said. "He doesn't return any calls. He doesn't return any letters. I almost feel like finding out where he lives and picketing him."

Team 5 Investigates tracked Reposa to his home in Hingham. Though he initially agreed to talk with Team 5 Investigates' Susan Wornick, he later refused.

"I have no comment," Reposa said. "My attorney will talk to you."

Last August, angry Beachside owners started their own association and soon discovered their timeshare investments were in serious jeopardy. There were thousands of dollars in unpaid utility bills and money owed to the town.

"We had real estate taxes against us," said Tom Wysocki, a board member of the new association. "We had electricity that was ready to be shut off. Water that was ready to be shut off. Phone bills."

Additionally, the new board said they discovered about 400 property deeds, paid for by owners, but never recorded. At least 40 people were still waiting to receive their share of the rental fees, totaling $25,000.

The timeshare owners told Team 5 Investigates, they don't even know the extent of the liens against the property because despite repeated requests, Reposa has refused to give records to them.

"I don't know if he's had some bad dealings or he's had bad dealings with other properties that he owns," Wysocki said.

In fact, Reposa does have other financial problems. Team 5 Investigates discovered liens against his home by the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue totaling nearly a half-million dollars.

Sybil Sharaf and her timeshare partner, who is sick with cancer, are still trying to collect $1,300 in rental fees from Reposa.

"She's 68 years old," Sharaf explained. "She cannot work. She has no means of income other than Social Security. That is it."

"I would hope he will show good faith," Wysocki said.

Reposa's attorney told Team 5 Investigates that Reposa is "remorseful" and is trying to work with the homeowners' attorney to settle the complaints. In the meantime, Reposa's attorney said his client plans to send a check to Sybil Sharaf and her partner for $1,300.