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Latin

Ozuna Confirms He Was the Victim of Extortion: 'What Happened Was a Mistake of the Past'

By Leila Cobo
1/23/2019
By Leila Cobo
1/23/2019

Reggaeton star Ozuna confirmed in a statement Wednesday (Jan. 23) that he was the victim of an extortion scam tied to a video filmed of him when he was minor.

“At the time, we filed a complaint,” said a statement released by Ozuna’s label management office, Dimelo VI, confirming an interview given Tuesday by Ozuna’s attorney to Puerto Rican press. “Our attorney confirmed yesterday that urban artist Ozuna was extorted through an intimate video filmed when he was a minor. This video was edited with the objective of causing even more harm. At the time [of the extortion plot], we filed a complaint and all the legal measures are being taken, as sending and publishing videos of minors is a state and federal offense.”

As part of the statement, Ozuna also issued an apology.

Artist Mentioned

Ozuna

“What happened was a mistake of the past. Like many young people, I made a mistake, fueled by ignorance,” read the statement. “Today, I’m not only sorry for what happened, but I condemn it. That’s why I looked for help and I am certain everything will be cleared. Likewise, I’m following the process and am always willing to collaborate with authorities to prevent the evil that resulted from this big mistake. More importantly, I ask my family for forgiveness. They are my life’s priority and I will continue to fight for them always.”  

Ozuna was the single most successful Latin artist of the past year, with his two studio albums ending 2018 as the No. 1 and No. 2 biggest albums on Billboard’s Latin year-end charts.

“We hope this serves as an example and a message to all teenagers and adults,” said Dimelo VI’s statement.

Reports published Tuesday in several Puerto Rican media outlets stated the person extorting Ozuna was slain trap singer Kevin Fret. At press time, Ozuna’s office had not confirmed to Billboard that this was the case.

Ozuna's manager, Vicente Saavedra, categorically told Billboard that Ozuna is not under any sort of investigation or questioning from authorities.

By Leila Cobo
1/23/2019