'Piolín' Breaks His Silence With A Lengthy Statement Claiming Innocence

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actor Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo attends the 11th Annual Impact Awards Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Febuary 22, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images) (2008 Getty Images)

The Mexican radio host Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo is denying sexual harassment allegations made against him in recent days by a former coworker at Univision Radio.

His Spanish-language morning radio show “Piolín por la Mañana,” which ran successfully for 10 years, was abruptly cancelled following allegations he sexually harassed his co-worker Alberto “Beto” Cortez.

Sotelo’s attorney has maintained that the allegations are false and motivated by money.

It saddens me that [Cortez] has resorted to making baseless claims in an attempt to obtain an undeserved financial windfall.
— Eddie "Piolín" Sotelo

Sotelo was known for supporting the immigrant community and encouraging a 2006 protest against an anti-immigration bill.

He broke his silence Monday with a statement posted on his Facebook page. In it he acknowledges the "enormous unconditional support" of his audience and promises to return to the airwaves "very soon."

"For the past week, I have remained silent as some former disgruntled Univision employees have made false accusations about me. I did not want to dignify their lies by responding. But enough is enough.

During the past 14 years, I helped my friend Beto Cortez through a number of difficult periods in his life and have been very generous to him. It saddens me that he has resorted to making baseless claims in an attempt to obtain an undeserved financial windfall.

For more than a decade, through all of Beto's personal travails, I stood up for my friend again and again. In 2012, by Beto's own admission, his work performance had become horribly erratic and I could no longer protect him. This is why Univision decided not to renew his contract when it expired at the end of last year.

For several months, we received reports that Beto was soliciting many of our co-workers to join him in asserting fictitious allegations and filing a complaint against me.

Contrary to Beto's malicious statements, I have received an outpouring of unconditional support from my listeners and fans. I am very thankful for their thoughts, their prayers and their encouragement. I plan to be back on radio very soon and will continue to work hard to keep your loyalty and trust. Stay tuned!''