The United States has imposed a $1.5 million fine on Mexican regional music singer Gerardo Ortiz after he pleaded guilty in November 2025 to conducting financial activities with a company linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Federal Judge Maame Ewusi Frimpong imposed the multimillion-dollar fine at a recent hearing in Los Angeles, giving Ortiz a maximum of 14 days to pay the amount. The sum is equivalent to more than 26 million Mexican pesos.
The US court also rejected arguments from Ortiz’s defense, which requested a reduction of the payment to $200,000, citing financial hardship and immigration issues.
In addition to the fine, Gerardo Ortiz was ordered to serve three years of supervised release, remain under the supervision of an assigned officer, and abstain from using any illegal substances.
The judge considered the artist’s background, as well as his role in the legal proceedings against his former manager, José Ángel del Villar, against whom he testified. The court did not prohibit Ortiz from leaving the country, but it did stipulate that he must comply with strict supervision conditions.
