Chicky Starr defends son amid Puerto Rico boxing federation audio controversy
The veteran wrestler says his son, federation president José “Chicky” Laureano, has not been proven to have done anything wrong and deserves the benefit of the doubt while authorities investigate an audio shared by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz.
File photoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día reports that Chicky Starr asked for the benefit of the doubt for his 49-year-old son while the audio's authenticity is investigated
- Metro Puerto Rico states Starr made clear he will not assume responsibility for his son's actions and that Laureano must answer if irregularities are found
- Both outlets report that Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz shared the recording mentioning alleged payments to secure votes
- Laureano denied the audio's authenticity and having asked for money during a Senate public hearing on Thursday
Father speaks out
Veteran Puerto Rican wrestler José “Chicky Starr” Laureano broke his silence on the controversy involving his son, also named José “Chicky” Laureano, who serves as president of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo. El Nuevo Día reported that the elder Laureano published statements on social media defending his son and requesting he be given the benefit of the doubt while authorities determine whether the audio is authentic.
Starr told reporters he does not hold any position in the boxing federation. He said the matter is for his son to clarify. Starr added that it hurts him as a man and as a father that his name has been used to cause damage. Metro Puerto Rico reported that Starr stressed he cannot be held responsible for his son's actions.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Si el día de mañana se le prueba algo, él como hombre tendrá que asumirlo.
Our translation: If tomorrow something is proven against him, as a man he will have to assume it.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
The audio and denials
The controversy began after Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz shared a recording in which a voice attributed to the federation president allegedly says payments are needed to obtain votes. One fragment reportedly includes the phrase about securing votes "with money... with big bills." Neither outlet provided full context for the conversation or confirmed that any money was actually requested.
During a public hearing in the Senate on Thursday, the younger Laureano rejected the recording's authenticity and denied asking for money. He stated that those who know him are aware he does not request money from anyone. Rivera Schatz has called on the Department of Justice, the Department of Recreation and Sports, and the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee to investigate.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and Metro Puerto Rico agree that Chicky Starr defended his son by saying nothing has been proven against him and that he deserves the benefit of the doubt pending investigation of the audio. They also agree Starr will not cover for his son if wrongdoing is later established and that Starr holds no position in the federation. El Nuevo Día includes more direct quotes from Starr criticizing the use of his name and calling Puerto Rican politics dirty. Metro Puerto Rico emphasizes that Starr will not assume any responsibility for his son's conduct and notes the audio allegedly mentioned payments of at least $10,000, a figure not mentioned by El Nuevo Día. Both name Thomas Rivera Schatz as the person who released the recording.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the Department of Justice, Department of Recreation and Sports or Olympic Committee have begun any formal investigation. They do not indicate when or where the audio was originally recorded, who recorded it, or the specific vote it allegedly referred to. No information is given on whether the full audio has been submitted for forensic analysis or when results might be available. The articles also do not mention any response from the Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo as an institution.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting “Duele como hombre y como papá”: Chicky Starr reacciona a controversia de su hijo
- Reporting Chicky Starr reacciona a polémica de su hijo: si encuentran irregularidades, tendrá que responder
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and Metro Puerto Rico both covered Starr's reaction to the controversy involving his son and the audio released by Thomas Rivera Schatz. Details of Starr's quotes and criticism of politics rest solely on El Nuevo Día while the $10,000 figure appears only in Metro Puerto Rico.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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