Faith-Healer Patients Sue 'Boogeyman'
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By Eron Ben-Yehuda A popular Spanish radio personality is partly responsible for compensating the victims of sexual assaults committed by a faith healer he promoted on his show, according to a lawsuit filed last month. Renan Almendarez Coello had a top-rated Los Angeles morning program on station KSCA-FM 101.9. The broadcast included segments in which Coello would offer advice to listeners with health problems. Coello repeatedly recommended that his audience seek treatment from a man known as “Doctor Misterio,” the complaint states. Doctor Misterio’s actual name is Fernando Lozano. He claimed to practice alternative medicine, which included the use of massages and herbs, according to published reports. But instead of helping to heal, Lozano took advantage of some of his patients, including the plaintiffs, a woman and a teenager, the suit contends. The two went to see him on separate occasions in July 2002, allegedly because of Coello’s advice. “He has segments of listeners that are extremely loyal to him,” plaintiffs’ attorney David M. Ring says. “They look up to him. They respect him.” The suit also names as defendants the Glendale-based radio station and its owner, Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. of Dallas. No damages are specified. Laura L. v. Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation, BC298265 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed June 30, 2003). “This is a case about the irresponsibility of a radio station and its disc jockey for the sake of higher ratings and bigger profits,” Ring, of Los Angeles’ Taylor & Ring, says. The broadcast company’s spokesman Jorge Plasencia and the station’s community affairs director Manuel Villasenor did not return repeated phone calls requesting comment. Coello did not answer messages sent to his e-mail address at the station. Two calls to Coello’s manager Fernando Schiantarelli were not returned. As of press time, information on who will represent the defendants was unavailable. Lozano, arrested in August 2002, pleaded guilty in January to committing lewd acts on a child, sexual penetration by fraud, sexual battery and practicing medicine without a license, according to media reports. The charges involved six victims 15 to 31 years old. Lozano received a prison sentence of nine years and four months, which he is serving at North Kern State Prison, according to the California Department of Corrections. Authorities reportedly have said they will deport Lozano, a Mexican national, after he completes his sentence. But that doesn’t end the search for justice for Ring’s clients, referred to as Laura L. and Doris N. to protect their privacy. At the time of the assaults, Laura L. was 32 years old; Doris N., 16. The complaint alleges that Lozano is liable for assault and battery as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit adds that Coello, the station and its owner committed negligence and unfair business practices. Coello allegedly exhibited “reckless behavior” by recommending unlicensed health-care providers, including Lozano, according to the suit. A Los Angeles Times article dated Nov. 12, 2002, when Lozano faced the criminal charges, quoted Schiantarelli defending Coello, known by his radio name as “El Cucuy,” which means The Boogeyman. “His intent was to help,” Schiantarelli was quoted as saying. “There was no malice.” The website Cucuy.com offers a link to someone referred to as a Cucuy “consultant,” an astrologer and psychic. The site includes a disclaimer stating that people who contact the services advertised do so at their own risk. Ring says that the radio station had an obligation to review – and the ability to limit the content of – Coello’s show. “The radio station and the media company were well aware of the nature of Cucuy’s morning show,” Ring says. “They didn’t want to rock the boat.” |
