Blackmail Ends In Plea Deal

A husband and wife accused of trying to blackmail Latin singer Alejandro Sanz agreed to a plea deal minutes before jury selection in their trial was to begin May 19th.

The couple, who faced up to 50 years behind bars, admitted to making threats of extortion against the Grammy Award winner and agreed to a sentence of two years probation, with their criminal records erased if they successfully complete the term.

Carlos Gonzalez, 38, who had done maintenance work at Sanz’s house, and his wife Sylvia Alzate, 48, were allowed to live at the singer’s Miami Beach house.

According to prosecutors, the duo threatened to release unspecific information about Sanz to Hispanic media unless they were paid $500,000.
Sanz issued a press release shortly after the threat in December explaining that he has a 3-year-old son from a previously undisclosed relationship.