Thread: Mexico detains Singer Rivera for undeclared cash

Mexico detains Singer Rivera for undeclared cash

The Associated Press
9:13 p.m. May 18, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Singer Jenni Rivera was arrested Monday at Mexico City's international airport for failing to declare more than $50,000 in cash before boarding a flight to the United States, authorities said.

Agents found $52,167 in the Mexican singer's carryon luggage during a random search of passengers waiting to board a flight to Los Angeles, the Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Rivera had previously told authorities she was carrying $20,000.

Rivera was being questioned late Monday and authorities were determining whether she would face charges, the agency said.

The singer's publicist, Arturo Rivera, declined to comment, saying he was not yet familiar with the circumstances surrounding her detention.
Rivera, who lives in California, participated in a television show in Mexico City on Sunday night.

The singer, whose hits include "Guilty or Innocent," won female artist of the year in the Mexico regional category of the 2009 "Premios Lo Nuestro" awards.

Rivera has had trouble with the law before, including allegations of assault. She has also filed a legal complaint against an unidentified person over the publication of a sex tape.

In 2007, her ex-husband was convicted of sexually molesting his daughter and sister-in-law.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=101628

Jenni Rivera fined for failing to declare cash
The Associated Press
3:34 p.m. May 19, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Singer Jenni Rivera was freed Tuesday after spending 15 hours in detention and paying a fine for failing to declare more than $50,000 in cash at Mexico City's international airport, her publicist said.

The Mexican star was arrested after authorities found $52,167 in her hand luggage during a random search of passengers waiting to board a flight to Los Angeles on Monday, according to the Attorney General's Office. The agency said she had told authorities she was only carrying $20,000.

Rivera was released after paying an $850 fine and was flying to her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, publicist Arturo Rivera said.

A statement from the singer called the incident a misunderstanding, saying she had been prepared to declare the cash upon arriving but did not realize she would have to do it before leaving Mexico.

The Attorney General's Office said it was still considering whether to charge Rivera.

Rivera performed in several Mexican cities over the weekend and participated in a television show in the capital on Sunday.

The singer, whose hits include "Guilty or Innocent," won female artist of the year in the Mexico regional category of the 2009 "Premios Lo Nuestro" awards.

Rivera has had trouble with the law before, including allegations of assault. She has also filed a legal complaint against an unidentified person over the publication of a sex tape.

In 2007, her ex-husband was convicted of sexually molesting his daughter and sister-in-law.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=102079