Rivera Schatz demands probe into alleged Chicky Laureano recording
The Senate president called on multiple agencies to investigate a purported audio clip suggesting bribes for votes in the Puerto Rican boxing federation.
File photoThe short version
- Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz demanded an investigation into an alleged recording attributed to José “Chicky” Laureano, president of the Puerto Rican Boxing Federation, El Vocero reported
- Rivera Schatz posted on Facebook urging the secretaries of Justice, Recreation and Sports, and the Governor’s Office, as well as the Puerto Rican Olympic Committee, to verify the audio, according to Metro Puerto Rico
- The Senate leader stated that if the recording is real it points to corruption and if fake it is defamation that should be prosecuted, both outlets reported
- No confirmation of the audio’s authenticity has been made and Laureano had not commented publicly as of Thursday, El Vocero reported
Call for investigation
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz demanded an investigation into an alleged audio recording attributed to José “Chicky” Laureano, president of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo. El Vocero reported that Rivera Schatz directed his request to the secretaries of Justice, Recreation and Sports, and the Governor’s Office, as well as the Comité Olímpico de Puerto Rico and any other competent authority.
Rivera Schatz wrote on Facebook that authorities must determine whether the recording is authentic or was generated by artificial intelligence. He added that if it constitutes defamation the person responsible should be prosecuted, and if it reveals corruption the responsible parties should face charges. Metro Puerto Rico reported that the senator stated “Ojalá que no sea cierto y se aclare, pero si fuera cierto, en el servicio público NO PUEDE HABER SUPERESTRELLAS DE LA CORRUPCIÓN.”
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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.
Ojalá que no sea cierto y se aclare, pero si fuera cierto, en el servicio público NO PUEDE HABER SUPERESTRELLAS DE LA CORRUPCIÓN
Our translation: Hopefully it is not true and it is clarified, but if it were true, in public service THERE CANNOT BE SUPERSTARS OF CORRUPTION
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Details of the audio
The controversy began after a video circulated on social media. El Vocero reported that in the purported recording a voice attributed to Laureano says he needs to persuade board members to approve an unidentified matter and that “hay dos o tres que van a votar en contra y es con billete, a billetazo… no va ser menos de $10,000.”
Neither outlet has confirmed the recording’s authenticity, when or where any conversation took place, or who else participated. Metro Puerto Rico noted that the clip has raised questions about possible irregularities in Puerto Rican boxing leadership.
Laureano’s positions
Laureano is serving his third term as president of the Federación Puertorriqueña de Boxeo after winning election in November 2024, El Vocero reported. He also serves as a specialist in the Department of Recreation and Sports and as the boxing representative on the Comité Olímpico de Puerto Rico board.
As of publication, no official investigation had been publicly confirmed to have begun and Laureano had not issued a response. El Vocero stated it attempted to contact him without success.
Where the sources differ
Both El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico agree that Thomas Rivera Schatz demanded an investigation on Thursday into an alleged recording attributed to José “Chicky” Laureano and that he called on the secretaries of Justice, Recreation and Sports, the Governor’s Office and the Comité Olímpico de Puerto Rico to act. Both outlets report that Rivera Schatz said the matter should be examined to determine if the audio is real or AI-generated and that legal action should follow depending on the outcome. El Vocero provides a direct quote from the purported recording that includes a $10,000 figure while Metro Puerto Rico does not quote or detail the audio content. El Vocero adds background on Laureano’s election victory and current positions that Metro does not mention.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether any agency has opened a formal investigation, whether the audio has been submitted for forensic analysis, or whether José “Chicky” Laureano has been contacted by authorities. They also do not identify the specific matter that was allegedly under discussion, name any board members referenced, or indicate when or in what setting the recorded conversation supposedly occurred. No timeline for any official findings is provided.
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.
- Official Rivera Schatz exige investigar alegada grabación de "Chicky" Laureano
- Reporting Rivera Schatz exige investigar alegada grabación de "Chicky" Laureano
- Reporting Rivera Schatz exige investigar supuesto soborno en el boxeo
How we checked this
El Vocero and Metro Puerto Rico both covered Rivera Schatz’s call for an investigation into the alleged Laureano recording. The direct quote from the audio and details of Laureano’s election and government positions rest solely on El Vocero’s account.
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.