A month after Mauricio Martínez denounced in an extensive Twitter thread that he was the victim of sexual harassment by Toño Berumen, former manager of various pop groups in the 90s, the topic is still trending.
After several years, the Mexican actor revealed that in the early 2000s, he was the victim of improper “touching” and insinuations by the former representative of groups such as Mercurio, Kairo and Tierra cero.
Martínez's testimony is in addition to that previously noted by singer Jesús Falcón, who denounced that both he and other young people who were looking for an opportunity in the music medium were abused by Berumen, although he did not elaborate.
The issue has already escalated to the legal field and Mauricio Martínez went to the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office to file a formal complaint against the man, who has now disappeared from the public spotlight. In addition, the musical comedy actor claims to have contact with at least 14 other Berumen victims, who could also testify to join the criminal complaint.
“Yesterday I was in the Public Ministry, that's what I came for, that's it. I have already done my duty as a citizen, my civic duty, it is my moral obligation not only for myself, but for all the victims, not only of this Mr. Antonio Berumen, but of all the victims of aggressors, of criminals, of criminals, of criminals who abuse innocent people who all they want is an opportunity in such a difficult career,” he declared.
In this regard, members of musical groups that were formed by the representative spoke about their experience:
“We don't experience it in our own flesh, but what I do agree is that men and women need to raise their voices. It is also true that there are many young people who have dreams, and by achieving them they allow themselves to be fooled by that type of predator; there are people who have no talent and dare into the arena, without seeing that they have to pay the consequences afterwards... We have to focus on people who have to contribute something to the public,” said Paulo Quevedo, member of the band Kairo -Berumen's creation- for TVyNovelas magazine.
For his part, Luigi Balestra, a member of Tierra Cero, another group that was represented by Antonio, told the publication: “It is perfect to be asked why many urban legends have been made and I can only say that I have thanks to Toño, because he is a person who taught us and put us where we are, we he instilled discipline, taught us to work and to value each of the moments we have up and down the stage.”
Roberto Assad, also a member of Kairo and partner of actress Lorena Herrera, also came to Berumen's defense: “What I have to say about Toño Berumen is gratitude for the opportunities he gave me, because he treated us like children, he behaved very well to all of us, and the only thing we can do is thank him. In fact, many of the groups that remain in force owe it to him because he was the creator, and part of his vision continues to triumph today.”
A few days ago Alex Sirvent, who was part of Mercury in the 90s and lived closely with Berumen, spoke about it, and although he ruled out that he had experienced something similar, he expressed his full support for the victims.
“It is a very delicate subject, which must be dealt with with with tweezers. I am very sorry for what Mauricio has happened and the victims who are speaking out,” he said in an interview for Sale el sol.
In addition, he added that even if they have a different point of view, they will never doubt the words of the victims: “In the end I think that we too, at some point, will talk, always respecting and from our point of view without wanting to cause any controversy.”