Four men have accused Texas music icon Ramon Ayala of looking the other way while they were allegedly subjected to shocking sexual abuse as members of his band. New lawsuits claim Ayala, 80, known as the 'king of the accordion' and regarded as a pioneer of Norteño music across Texas and northern Mexico, ignored repeated complaints that his son, Ramon Ayala Jr., was sexually harassing and abusing male bandmates on the group's tour bus.
The accusers allege Ayala Jr. subjected them to disturbing abuse while on cocaine-fueled binges and claim nothing was done to protect them when they reported the alleged conduct to the music legend. Ayala has vigorously denied the allegations and claims the accusers and their lawyer are attempting to extort him for $25 million.
One former member of Ayala's band, Bravos del Norte, alleges he was pinned down while Ayala Jr. shoved a finger into his anus, an incident he claims left him requiring medical attention. The lawsuits further allege the four-time Grammy winner's son exposed himself on the tour bus, waited for musicians to fall asleep before placing his penis on their faces and in their mouths, and repeatedly humiliated band members during alleged cocaine-fueled episodes.
The men also claim Ayala Jr. would use the restroom without wiping himself before sitting on fellow bandmates. High-profile Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the former band members, unveiled what he said were sexually explicit photographs and videos during a press conference in Ayala's hometown of Hidalgo, Texas, on Wednesday morning.
Ayala himself is not accused of taking part in the abuse; however, the accusers claim they tried to report the abuse by Ayala's son and nothing was done to protect them. At a press conference in Hidalgo, Texas, on Wednesday, Grammy winner Ramon Ayala listened to his lawyer call lawsuits against him a 'shakedown.'
Ramon Ayala Jr. remains a visible and prominent part of his father's social media and on-stage presence despite the allegations against him. 'I want to suck your f***ing toes, b***h. I want to lick them clean, b***h,' a recording alleging to be Ayala Jr. was played during the press conference. Another photo appearing to show Junior biting the shoulder of a bandmate was also shown by Buzbee.
Three of the accusers have filed separate civil lawsuits against Ayala Sr., Ayala Jr., and Liram, LLC, the company that hires and pays the band, with a fourth accuser expected to file in the next few days, Buzbee stated. 'When your boss rounds around naked, calling you names to humiliate you, that's not horseplay,' Buzbee said. 'No one is suggesting that an 80-year-old man did this. It was reported to him multiple times. These band members travel together in a very tight knit group. There are no secrets in a band. He chose to turn a blind eye because it was his son. He chose to treat it as an isolated incident when it was happening every day.'
Eliud Gonzales, 42, a former bassist for the band, says he was sexually abused by Ayala's son, who forced his finger up his anus and touched his genitals. 'I tried to talk to Mr. Ayala, but he was never made available,' Gonzalez spoke in Spanish during the press conference. 'Junior told me, "I could rape you and you wouldn't do anything because you don't want to give up your spot in the band."'
However, Ayala's lawyers played an audio recording of Gonzalez being interviewed by lawyers before he filed his lawsuit. In the recording, Gonzalez told investigators that being part of Ayala's band was like being part of a family. 'We all know our boundaries. We all know where to draw the line,' the married father can be heard saying. When asked if he had ever witnessed sexual abuse, verbal abuse or physical abuse, Gonzalez answered, 'No.'
'That's really different than what Buzbee says in Eliud's lawsuit,' said Ayala's lawyer. 'Once Buzbee got ahold of him, his whole story changed.' Buzbee has previously made headlines for his representation of accusers of Sean Diddy Combs and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Attorneys for Ayala compared the tour bus behavior to the show 'Jackass' and said they were antics of 'men who never grew up.' Ayala's lawyer was asked if he was denying there was any sexual abuse. 'It was probably more than horseplay,' Thomas said.
Additionally, Buzbee called for local authorities to launch a criminal investigation into the allegations. Ayala's lawyer added that his clients should have already gone to police if they are ready to swear under penalty of oath that the allegations they are making are true. Ayala's defense team has petitioned the court for a trial date and maintain they will not cave to a settlement or a trial in the media.
