Gerardo Ortiz testifies against Del Records' Angel Del Villar

Gerardo Ortiz testified in federal court this week against his former boss, Angel Del Villar, CEO of Del Records. Ortiz's testimony comes as Del Villar faces charges linked to a federal law that prohibits U.S. businesses from dealing with drug traffickers. The case dates back to 2022 when Ortiz was approached by an FBI agent at the Phoenix airport. The agent warned him that Del Records promoter, Jesus "Chucho" Pérez Alvear, had ties to criminal groups in Mexico, specifically the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Ortiz was advised not to work with Pérez Alvear due to his designation as a narcotics trafficker. Despite this warning, Ortiz admitted in court that he performed at a festival in Mexico in 2018. Ortiz, who worked with Del Records from 2009 to 2019, has already pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and is now cooperating with U.S. authorities. Pérez Alvear was shot and killed in December 2024. Del Villar is charged under the Kingpin Act, which criminalizes dealings with sanctioned individuals. His defense attorney claims he was misled by a former employee, Brian Gutierrez. Prosecutors allege that Del Villar encouraged Ortiz to ignore the FBI's warning to continue working with Pérez Alvear for financial gain. They also claim Gutierrez played a role in preventing a press release that would have stopped Ortiz from performing at the festival. Del Records and Ortiz have a complicated history, including a lawsuit exchange in 2019 that involved accusations of fraud. The FBI raided Del Records' offices in 2020, looking for records related to Ortiz.