Prosecutors in Argentina have linked disgraced opera star Plácido Domingo to a criminal group in Buenos Aires that was a front for sex trafficking, including minors, as well as other crimes.
Last week, police carried out 50 raids against the BA Group, which operated under the name Yoga School of Buenos Aires, and 19 people were arrested.
Multiple broadcast channels in Latin America have aired excerpts of audio recordings taken from wiretapping that include the voice of a man who authorities allege Domingo makes plans with members of the alleged criminal network. The dates of these interceptions have not been made public.
Since 2019, more than 20 women have come forward publicly with allegations of misconduct against Domingo. As a result of those allegations, Domingo parted ways with New York’s Metropolitan Opera and resigned from his role as general director of LA Opera in California. In March 2020, Domingo’s name was removed from the early career young artist program at the Washington National Opera in Washington, DC, where he served as artistic director and later general director from 1996 to 2011.
In an excerpt from the wiretaps from Argentina, a man who prosecutors say is Domingo is heard talking to “Mendy,” a woman with whom he is allegedly making plans to have sex. On the tape, the man describes the details of his plans to leave a dinner party apart from his agents and other representatives, to avoid their notice, so he could meet her. Another clip involves “Mendy” calling alleged ringleader Juan Percowicz to celebrate that she has confirmed plans with the man, whom she refers to as “Plácido.”
NPR reached out to Domingo’s representatives for comment, but did not immediately hear back. NPR will update this story with any comments from Domingo.
Now 81, the Spanish-born Domingo was formerly one of opera’s most reliable stars and was a household name around the world thanks to his participation in The Three Tenors alongside the late Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras.
Domingo’s career abroad has survived allegations of sexual misconduct: he has reappeared in recent months for shows across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and he remains a brand ambassador for Rolex watches.
In an admiring profile published by German wave in January 2021 hailing his “extraordinary career”, Domingo declined to address the allegations and said he preferred to “devote himself to other challenges”.
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