Lawyers Clash Publicly Over Civil Lawsuits Against Ramón Ayala Jr. and Other Defendants
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Following a press conference where plaintiffs and their attorney, Tony Buzbee, presented testimonies and audiovisual material, the defense team for Ramón Ayala and other defendants later responded by questioning the authenticity of the material and denouncing what they called a 'media attack' from the plaintiffs' legal team. Since earlier stages of the case, Ramón Ayala Sr. and Ramón Ayala Jr. have denied the allegations, asserting in a joint statement that the claims are unfounded and that their legal team would address the lawsuits. Thus far, none of the accusations have been proven in court. During Wednesday's press conference, Buzbee, representing the plaintiffs, presented videos, photographs, and testimonies that he claimed indicate a pattern of behavior within the group's tours. He explained that the main demand from the plaintiffs has been to separate the accused from the rest of the group: 'The only demand we have made is that Ayala Jr. stay away from the other band members,' he stated. He also noted that many of them continue to work together in a close professional environment. However, he maintained that some group members 'who are still there and are being subjected to this behavior do not approve of it,' adding that there is a sense of loyalty among the members that has made it difficult for them to speak out publicly. Buzbee also criticized the reaction towards the plaintiffs: 'Instead of addressing the situation, they started calling them names, trying to discredit them, humiliate them, and shame them,' he expressed. 'That is not something trivial... it is something outrageous.' The attorney warned that the plaintiffs will not yield to pressure: 'These men will not be intimidated or forced to remain silent,' he emphasized. In this context, Eliud González, a musician who was part of the band during the 2025-2026 tour, took the floor. In his testimony, he claimed to have been a victim of sexual harassment and physical assaults, describing a work environment of intimidation. González stated that Ramón Ayala Jr. used his position within the group to exert pressure on the members, including threats. He also claimed that the alleged assaults caused personal, family, and professional harm. According to his testimony, the alleged assaults escalated to more serious episodes that even caused him physical harm: 'After suffering repeated sexual assaults that physically hurt me, I tried to speak with Mr. Ramón Ayala, but I was never allowed to,' he asserted. He also recounted an alleged threat he received from the accused: 'He told me: 'I can rape you and you will do absolutely nothing because you won't want someone else to take your place next to your great idol Ramón Ayala.' Hours later, Ramón Ayala Jr.'s legal team, led by attorneys Ricardo Rodríguez and Ray Thomas, responded to the allegations. They stated that they typically do not litigate in the media but decided to do so in light of what they consider a media attack driven by the plaintiffs. The defense directly questioned the material presented at the conference, indicating that in a context where there are artificial intelligence tools, it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the videos and photographs. They added that even assuming the material is authentic, it does not conclusively show the alleged behaviors. As an example, they mentioned an image featuring a bag with white powder, stating that it is impossible to determine what substance it is or to whom it belongs, and accused the plaintiffs of making interpretations that are not clearly supported by the content. Additionally, the attorneys presented statements from individuals connected to the group to support their position. Drummer José Luis Covarrubias described the group's atmosphere as close, with camaraderie and regular joking. Similarly, Ramón Pedraza stated that during tours, it is common for members to interact informally to pass the time on the road. The defense also maintained that Eliud González himself had previously described the group's dynamics as 'normal' and family-like, and that he had not reported any physical or verbal assaults. On the other hand, the attorneys argued that the tour bus should be considered a private space, comparable to a home, and indicated that they are considering possible legal actions regarding the dissemination of material that could imply an invasion of privacy. They also noted that one of the plaintiffs, Ángel Garza Ramírez, has a criminal record related to drugs. The case is part of three civil lawsuits filed in Hidalgo County on March 4, which include allegations of physical assaults, inappropriate sexual conduct, substance use during tours, and alleged inaction by the organization. The case will continue to develop in the judicial arena.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
