In May 2023, Gerardo Ortiz released one of his latest hits, an ode to the Jalisco Cartel: Los Envidiosos.
Surrounded by vehicles that looked like armored vehicles and people who looked like hitmen in the music video, the Californian sent a message on behalf of one of the organization’s most violent and powerful operatives: Ricardo Ruiz Velasco, known as El Doble R, leader of the cartel’s Elite Group.
A year later, the singer would be pleading guilty to having financially involved himself with the same cartel he sang about, but pointing the finger at José Ángel del Villar, his former manager, as the person truly responsible, thus avoiding prison. Court documents reveal that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) managed to use Gerardo Ortiz as a witness against Del Villar, the CEO of Del Records, during his trial for financial involvement with a criminal organization. This was in exchange for a deal that would allow him a reduced sentence, perhaps even avoid jail time, and allow him to complete his trial free.
Such is his trust that Ortiz Medina already has at least one concert scheduled days after his sentencing.
The singer, famous for his narcocorridos, was at the center of the case led by the US investigative agency regarding a series of concerts Ortiz held in Mexico in 2018, represented by Del Records, in coordination with Gallística Diamante, a Mexican label accused by the Treasury of laundering money for the Jalisco Cartel.
In April 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department designated Jesús Pérez Alvear, alias Chucho Pérez, and his company, Gallística Diamante and/or Ticket Premier, as a front for money laundering for the CJNG.
As part of the case, in June 2022, the FBI arrested popular producer José Ángel del Villar and charged him with conducting business with an organization designated under the Kingpin Act against drug lords. Luca Scalisi, chief financial officer of Del Records, was also arrested.
