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Eddie 'Piolín' Sotelo releases Facebook statement; denies sexual harassment allegations
Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo the host of the daily Spanish language morning radio show, "Piolín por la Mañana."
Popular Spanish radio personality Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo broke his silence Monday following sexual harassment allegations by a former male colleague.
On his Facebook page, Sotelo wrote in Spanish that the accusations made by Beto Cortez were false. He said he is saddened that his longtime friend has gone to such lengths just to make a buck.
"For the last 14 years, I've helped my friend Beto Cortez through a series of difficult periods in his life and I've always been very generous with him," he wrote in Spanish. "It saddens me that he has resorted to making completely false claims against me for personal gain."
The post had generated 22,042 likes, 6,777 comments and 1,461 shares within two hours.
RELATED: Univision cancels popular 'Piolín' radio show
Sotelo alleges that Cortez reached out to other Univision employees to join in the lies.
Cortez accused Sotelo of harassment late last month shortly after Univision abruptly canceled Sotelo's syndicated morning radio show. Piolín spoke to Take Two host A Martinez a week before but gave no indication he knew the decision was coming.
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Sotelo says Cortez lawyered up in recent months after Univision didn't renew his contract.
RELATED: Univision says 'Piolín' agreed to leave radio show
Sotelo tells his fans he'll back on air soon and will continue to work to maintain their trust and loyalty.
Below is the post in its entirety:
Durante la última semana, he guardado silencio mientras varios ex empleados de Univision han hecho acusaciones falsas sobre mí. Yo no quería dignificar sus mentiras al responder pero siento que ya he callado lo suficiente.
Durante los últimos 14 años, ayudé a mi amigo Beto Cortez a través de una serie de períodos difíciles en su vida y siempre he sido muy generoso con él. Me entristece que él haya recurrido a hacer reclamaciones completamente falsas con el fin de obtener una ganancia financiera.
Por más de una década, a través de múltiples tribulaciones personales de Beto, apoyé y defendí a mi amigo una y otra vez. En el 2012, el mismo Beto Cortez admitió que su desempeño laboral se había tornado terriblemente errático por lo cual yo ya no podía protegerlo. Es por eso que cuando su contrato expiró a finales del año pasado, Univision decidió no renovarlo.
Por varios meses, hemos recibido informes de que Beto estaba solicitándo a muchos de nuestros compañeros de trabajo a que se unan a el para hacer valer sus acusaciones ficticias y presentar una denuncia en contra de mí.
Contrario a las declaraciones malintencionadas de Beto, he recibido el enorme apoyo incondicional de mis radio-escuchas y fans. Estoy muy agradecido por sus buenos deseos, sus oraciones y el aliento que me han brindado. Volveré a la radio muy pronto y seguiré trabajando fuertemente para mantener su lealtad y confianza. ¡Estén pendientes!
Univision declined to comment in response to Sotelo's post when contacted by KPCC.
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KPCC reached out to Cortez's lawyer but has not heard back yet. The story will be updated when we have received a response.
This story has been updated.
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