Gerardo Ortiz Admits Performing for Cartel During Federal Trial

Gerardo Ortiz, a prominent figure in the regional Mexican music scene, has admitted in a U.S. court to performing at concerts linked to the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), as part of the trial against Ángel del Villar, executive director of DEL Records. Ortiz's cooperation with the FBI revealed that he performed at six concerts organized by promoter Jesús Pérez Alvear, who had been previously warned by the FBI about his connections to drug trafficking. Despite this warning, Ortiz continued to perform, participating in at least 19 additional concerts, which prosecutors allege were used to launder money for the cartel. The legal ramifications are severe; if convicted, Del Villar could face up to 30 years in prison under the Kingpin Act, which prohibits business dealings with designated drug traffickers. Ortiz's testimony is crucial for the case, as he describes pressure from Del Villar to disregard FBI warnings and continue his performances. The ongoing trial not only highlights Ortiz's legal troubles but also exposes the troubling connections between the music industry and organized crime.