SANTIAGO, CHILE (AP) - Chilean talk show host Mario Kreutzberger denied Tuesday that he had anything to do with an alleged attempt to bribe a laboratory worker into altering the DNA results in his paternity case.
“I’ve never bribed anybody,” said Kreutzberger, better known as Don Francisco, host of the Sabado Gigante show.
Kreutzberger, 70, has suspended the popular show, broadcast from Miami all over the Spanish-speaking world, in order to defend himself in court in Chile. He spoke briefly on arrival at the airport and said he couldn’t take questions until he’s had a chance to speak with the authorities involved.
Both Kreutzberger and a 43-year-old Chilean man who claims to be his son have submitted to court-ordered DNA tests by Chile’s Medical Legal Service, which is respected for its DNA work in human rights cases.
The service filed a criminal complaint two weeks ago alleging that biochemist Luis Velazquez was offered a bribe to switch or alter Kreutzberger’s DNA.
“I don’t know this Mr. Velazquez who came out in the press. I also don’t know about anything that has to do with manipulation in the Medical Legal Service,” said Kreutzberger.
He said this is first time in his life that he has had to appear in court, and that he came to Chile in part to speak directly with the prosecutor, Jose Morales, who is investigating the bribery allegation.
Velazquez also said he doesn’t know Kreuzberger personally. According to the complaint filed by his office, the bribe was offered by people who claimed they are close to the talk show host.
Patricio Abraham Flores Mundaca said his mother told him before she died that he was born as the result of a brief encounter she had with Kreutzberger when she worked as a maid.
“For my family, for my wife, for my children, for my grandchildren, these months have been very difficult and painful, because I have never been involved in this,” Kreutzberger said.
Family Judge Gloria Negroni is expected to announce the DNA results in the coming weeks.
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