Representatives from both sides of high-profile lawsuits involving Grammy Award-winning Norteño artist Ramón Ayala Jr., Ramón Ayala Sr. — his father — and their band held dueling news conferences on Wednesday.
Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the plaintiffs identified as John Doe’s #1, #2 and #3, hosted the first news conference late Wednesday morning. The cases were filed in state court in Hidalgo County.
The plaintiffs, who were former band or crew members of the Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte band, are accusing Ramón Ayala Jr. of repeated sexual assault.
In the news conference, Buzbee noted several instances of ”egregious horseplay” where Ramón Ayala Jr. allegedly ran around naked and sexually assaulted the band members while they slept.
“These men deserve to be treated with dignity,” Buzbee told reporters.
Buzbee alleges that Ramón Ayala Jr. was under the influence of drugs daily, which included cocaine use.
The blame, according to Buzbee, spreads to his father Ramón Ayala Sr.
“No one is suggesting that an 80-year-old man did any of those things, but it was reported to him multiple times,” Buzbee said. “He chose to turn a blind eye because it was his son.”
John Doe #1 was the only former band member to speak at the news conference about the trauma allegedly caused by Ramón Ayala Jr.
“I loved my job,” the former band member said. “I can no longer be a part of the band anymore, and I’m devastated.”
Buzbee announced that an additional fourth man had come forward and expects to file a fourth lawsuit against Ramón Ayala Jr., Ramón Ayala Sr. and the band soon.
“Get Junior (Ramón Ayala Jr.) away from these band members,” Buzbee said.
Buzbee encouraged all sexual assault victims to come forward, including those potentially involved in this case.
“Every 68 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted,” Buzbee said.
The Ayala family’s response
Ray Thomas, a McAllen-based attorney representing Ramón Ayala Jr., called the lawsuits a “shakedown” in a Wednesday afternoon news conference held after the Buzbee event.
Thomas also claimed the former bandmates are only interested in a financial settlement.
Earlier this week, Ramón Ayala Sr. addressed the allegations in a Facebook post. Ayala’s father said he has confidence “the truth will ultimately come to light through proper legal process.”
The allegations against Ramón Ayala Jr. were compared, by Ayala’s attorney, to the former MTV show “Jackass.”
He described the “horseplay” as “men who never grew up who all jack around with each other (and) do things you and I think are gross.”
Thomas presented witness interviews from multiple employees of Los Bravos del Norte.
Thomas read aloud a statement from Ruben Carbral, who is an animator for Los Bravos del Norte. In the statement, Carbral believes the “horseplay” wasn’t considered harsh because “we all know each person’s limits and tolerance.”
“Ultimately, there is no environment of harassment or people ganging up on someone — that just doesn’t exist,” Carbral’s statement read.
Thomas also read a statement from Jose Luis Covarrubias, a drummer for Los Bravos del Norte. Covarrubias wrote that the band is connected like a family.
It was “common for members of the group to play around, joke and interact informally,” Covarrubias wrote.
BACKGROUND
According to the lawsuit, John Doe #1 worked for Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte’s traveling support staff and alleges he was subjected to repeated, unwanted sexual contact by Ayala Jr.
The filing also alleges a hostile and sexually charged environment on the band’s tour bus. According to the lawsuit, Ramón Ayala Jr. frequently made sexually aggressive and suggestive comments and, at times, rode on the bus completely nude while allegedly under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
Buzbee previously called the allegations some of the most disturbing he has seen in his career handling sexual assault cases.
“I’ve handled some of the largest and most high-profile sexual assault cases in the United States,” Buzbee said. “I’ve never seen the type of conduct alleged in this case.”
The lawsuit seeks more than $25 million in damages.
Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte, which was founded in the early 1970s, is widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in regional Mexican music.
The band has earned multiple Grammy Awards and a devoted fan base across the United States, Mexico and Latin America. Founder Ramón Ayala Sr. is often referred to as the “King of the Accordion.”
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