Franklin Romero pleads not guilty

Franklin Romero, Aventura's producer will again attend the a Manhattan Federal Court this Thursday at 10:30 am where his request for bail will be assessed. Yesterday, the record label producer had his first hearing and pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering, drug trafficking and conspiracy.

In a petition to Judge Lawrence McKenna to grant him bail, by defense lawyers from the firm of Jack Goldberg, the federal prosecutor objected on the grounds that Romero is a flight risk and is likely to skip the country as he did 10 years ago.

After his arrest on Tuesday 22, Romero was first seen looking despondent wearing a federal prisoner suit. Present in court were his wife Helen and 15 other people, including sad looking friends and relatives

After their departure, Helen told Univisión: "He who owes nothing fears nothing ... This is going to get to the truth. "

Previously, the record label issued a press release which said that Romero was charged after moving to the Dominican Republic.

It noted that in August 17, 2006 Romero hired New York attorney Jack G. Goldberg, Esq intending to solve the case and clear his name. "Negotiations between the lawyer and prosecutors were ongoing," said the press release signed by Marti Cuevas, general manager of Premium Latin Music.

Meanwhile, it's uncertain what the future hold for the artists who belong to the Premium Latin Music label, owned by Franklin Romero. In the catalog, the bachata group Aventura is the most important being  famous worldwide. Through an email answered by their manager, Johnny Marines, members of the group indicated that they were very surprised with the news.

Meanwhile, foreign media have linked the name of Aventura with the information and arrest of Romero, the owner' and president of the Aventura's record label. Portals such as Univision.com have questioned whether or not this could affect the bachata group's image.

Aventura's manager is upset that only the relationship of Romero with the group is mentioned.

"The last time I checked, there were more artists with the label. But only Aventura is mentioned. That's what I dislike," Marines said on his twitter account. Anthony Romeo Santos, Lenny, Max and Henry have almost concluded their contract with Premium. Romero announced last year that he would release everyone to work on their own projects. Then reunite in 2012 to record the last album with the label.

In 2010, Anthony Romeo Santos signed a US$ 10 million contract with Sony Music and Jive Records to record five solo albums. The first album to come out in October 2011.

Max, Lenny and Henry are also already working individually.

In Santo Domingo, merengue star Eddy Herrera is the highlight of the catalog. Presently, he is recording his next album, which will be out in June.

Eddy is concerned and dismayed by what is happening with the president of the label and hopes that Premium Latin Music will continue smoothly. The merengue star noted that his 20-year career with his band has never been linked to scandals, not professionally or personally.

The manager and brother of Herrera deeply regretted the situation, especially the bad situation with Romero. Manager, Wason Brazobán also lamented about the situation and hopes that Romero is able to leave this unfortunate situation behind as soon as possible.

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