One of Mexico’s most popular pop singers, Gloria Trevi, has again been accused of “grooming” and exploiting underage girls for the benefit of her ex-producer Sergio Andrade in the early 1990s.
Two Jane Does have claimed that Trevi, now 54, and Andrade used their “role, status and power” to engage in sexual contact with them over a number of years when they were just 13 and in Los Angeles County respectively. The filing introduces the two Jane Does as “survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence, assault, harassment and abuse” at the hands of the defendants and explains that they suffered “significant emotional distress, anxiety, nervousness, anger and fear.” ‘ as a result of abuse.
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The 30-page lawsuit, a civil suit viewed by Variety and originally reported by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, was filed Dec. 30 in Los Angeles. The submissions do not use Trevi’s or Andrade’s names exclusively, anonymously identifying them as Jane Doe laments, but their involvement is evident from the descriptions and consistent chronology of touring and album releases: Trevi is credited as “a famous and beloved pop star and one of the am highest paid artists in Latin America” and Andrade is described as “one of the most successful music producers in Mexico”.
Trevi officials did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
The filing narrowly met the deadline under California’s Child Victims Act, which temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims for three years.
Trevi and Andrade were first accused of corrupting and abusing minors in the ’90s, and in January 2000 the two were arrested along with backing singer María Raquenel Portillo for their connection to an alleged cult-like sex ring. The arrests were based on charges brought by former singer Karina Yapor, who claimed she was forced into sexual relations with Andrade.
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Trevi served four years in a Chihuahuan prison but was eventually acquitted of those charges in 2004 and continued her career, releasing chart-topping albums and hosting arena shows. In 2018, she gave an emotional speech at the Latin American Music Awards, explaining that she was only 15 when Andrade, whom she did not identify by name, drew her into a world of abuse and manipulation.
The complaint seeks a trial by jury and damages to be determined at the time of the trial. Trevi is expected to play three shows in Mexico City in late January.
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