By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The Puerto Rican Day Parade is embroiled in controversy once again this week – this time for honoring a girlfriend-battering soap opera star, the New York Daily News reported.
Ceremonial marshal Rep. Luis Gutierrez and sponsor Verizon both withdrew their participation for the parade upon learning this year's "International Godfather" Osvaldo Rios, 49, served three months in a Puerto Rican prison for assaulting his girlfriend in 1996, the paper said.
"I do not believe that honoring an individual who has committed such a serious crime is in keeping with the spirit of our parade," wrote Gutierrez, an Illinois politician who has led the charge against Arizona's controversial immigration law, in a letter to parade organizers, according to the News. "We must send a message of zero tolerance for violence against women."
The issue might have carried special weight in light of the 2000 Puerto Rican Day Parade scandal, when 47 women reported being groped by parade-goers. Some of the assaults were caught on videotape, with the horrifying images played on news stations repeatedly throughout the country.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, however, is undeterred by the Rio controversy, according to the News. A spokesperson for the mayor told the paper that Bloomberg would not only attend Sunday's parade, but he'll also host a pre-parade party at Gracie Mansion.
Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velazquez, the "National Grand Marshal," and Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano, the "Honorary Marshal," also confirmed that they would show for the event, according to the paper.
"It was not a good idea to honor him," Serrano told the News. "I'm marching in honor of the Puerto Rican community."
But parade President Madelyn Lugo defended the decision to enlist the controversial telenovela star, who once dated pop sensation Shakira.
"Osvaldo has been rehabilitated," Lugo told the News. "Osvaldo is an excellent person and actor. I believe everyone deserves a second opportunity in life, another chance."
Past honorees at the Puerto Rican Day Parade include singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony in 2006 and pop star Ricky Martin in 2007.
