A couple who once worked for Grammy-winning Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz faces extortion and theft charges stemming from an alleged blackmail attempt, according to court records.
Carlos Gonzalez, 36, worked at Sanz's home in an exclusive Miami Beach neighborhood maintaining the premises and boats docked there, according to an arrest affidavit. He and his wife, 47-year-old Sylvia Helena Alzate, were also allowed to live in the home.
But according to Miami-Dade County investigators, Gonzalez in November 2006 quit his job and stole a laptop computer, videos and photographs that belonged to Sanz or his company, Gazul Productions.
Carlos Gonzalez, 36, worked at Sanz's home in an exclusive Miami Beach neighborhood maintaining the premises and boats docked there, according to an arrest affidavit. He and his wife, 47-year-old Sylvia Helena Alzate, were also allowed to live in the home.
But according to Miami-Dade County investigators, Gonzalez in November 2006 quit his job and stole a laptop computer, videos and photographs that belonged to Sanz or his company, Gazul Productions.
On Dec. 5, another Sanz employee, Juan Ramon Ramirez, got a call from Gonzalez saying that "certain information" would be released to the Spanish media unless Gonzalez was paid $500,000.
"Gonzalez made it clear that in addition to money he wished to do damage" to Sanz, who was born in Spain as Alejandro Sanchez Pizarro, according to the affidavit by an investigator with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
Sanz, who has won both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, is one of the most popular Spanish singers of all time, known for romantic, flamenco-inspired pop ballads and emotion-laden lyrics. He recently appeared on a duet, "La Tortura," with Colombian superstar Shakira.
The documents don't say what information Gonzalez claimed to have. But about a week after that phone call, Sanz issued a press release acknowledging that he has a 3-year-old son, Alexander, from a previously undisclosed relationship.
Sanz's publicist in California declined further comment Wednesday.
After Ramirez contacted prosecutors, a monitored telephone call was set up in which Gonzalez said he and his wife "are working their hardest to create a scandal and destroy Sanchez Pizarro," according to the affidavit.
Ramirez also claimed that Gonzalez registered in his own name a 2006 Renegade power boat costing $85,000 and a 2005 Yamaha jet ski worth more than $12,000 that were bought for Sanz's use.
Lonnie Richardson, attorney for the accused couple, would not comment. Both have pleaded not guilty and are free on bail, with trial scheduled for Feb. 20.
"Gonzalez made it clear that in addition to money he wished to do damage" to Sanz, who was born in Spain as Alejandro Sanchez Pizarro, according to the affidavit by an investigator with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
Sanz, who has won both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, is one of the most popular Spanish singers of all time, known for romantic, flamenco-inspired pop ballads and emotion-laden lyrics. He recently appeared on a duet, "La Tortura," with Colombian superstar Shakira.
The documents don't say what information Gonzalez claimed to have. But about a week after that phone call, Sanz issued a press release acknowledging that he has a 3-year-old son, Alexander, from a previously undisclosed relationship.
Sanz's publicist in California declined further comment Wednesday.
After Ramirez contacted prosecutors, a monitored telephone call was set up in which Gonzalez said he and his wife "are working their hardest to create a scandal and destroy Sanchez Pizarro," according to the affidavit.
Ramirez also claimed that Gonzalez registered in his own name a 2006 Renegade power boat costing $85,000 and a 2005 Yamaha jet ski worth more than $12,000 that were bought for Sanz's use.
Lonnie Richardson, attorney for the accused couple, would not comment. Both have pleaded not guilty and are free on bail, with trial scheduled for Feb. 20.
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