Valley Star

Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: LatinaOpinion.com Courtesy of LatinaOpinion.com

Phone calls poured into radio stations supporting her release and she was given a hero's welcome in her hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. Her fans have always been appreciative of her candor and often identified with her songs of teenage angst and plight for social reform.

Pop sensation Gloria Trevi, known as the "Mexican Madonna,"along with her manager / lover Sergio Andrade and two backup singers, was in prison for the last five years. Two years ago they were extradited from Brazil to Chihuahua, Mexico to face accusations of kidnapping, corruption of minors and rape.






Trevi was finally released Sept. 21 for lack of evidence. "No offense was found," Trevi's lawyer, Bernardo Batiz, said when asked if Trevi had been found guilty.

Andrade remains imprisoned and will be tried separately.

The story unraveled when Andrade's ex-wife singer, Aline Hernandez, in a 1998 book titled "Aline: La Gloria por el Infierno" (Aline: To Glory by Hell), said she considers Trevi a girl manipulated and madly in love with Andrade, willing to do anything for him. Hernandez accused Trevi of "idolizing" Andrade and luring innocent girls with promises of stardom.

The title of the book piggy-backed Trevi's fame and only after being published did other alleged victims come forth with their sad tales of sexual abuse, slavery, corruption and false promises.

One has to wonder why they waited until then.

If her accusers have been unable to prove her guilt in this five-year span, what is the controversy?

Trevi deserves to be free.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Her accusers have done nothing but create a web of allegations and half-truths lacking substantial evidence to merit a trial. Trevi has maintained her innocence from the beginning and claims Andrade was legally married to a couple of those underage girls, including Hernandez . She wonders why Mexican authorities did not stop these unions, and blames the girls' parents for allowing them, according to online reports.

Back up singer and plaintiff, Karina Yapor, has done nothing but profit from the scandal.

She filed charges against Trevi and Andrade, then quickly sold her "exclusive" to just about anyone who paid her to talk.

Hardly the attitude of a victim.

Whatever Trevi's done, she has more than been punished for.

Trevi is a victim - just like the other girls - a victim of a ruthless man.

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