El Show de Juan Contreras? Molestations Alleged Behind the Scenes

The producer and host of a popular and long-running Spanish-language music show in Chicago, el Show de Juan Contreras, loved something other than music — he loved molesting little girls, according to Cook County prosecutors.

Now he’s on trial for more than a decade of alleged molestation, from 1993 to 2013. Four victims have come forward and claimed that while they were children, the man who promised to make them stars instead abused their trust.

Elpidio “Juan” Contreras asked an 11-year-old girl to pose in a bikini, took topless photos of her, and sexually molested her, according to prosecutors, who lodged charges against him in 2013. That girl was the first to come forward. Contreras was giving her singing lessons twice a week, reports DNAInfo Chicago.

Three more girls came to authorities after the first girl’s case was publicized.

He was “a big deal, because he was on television,” Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Ciaccia said in closing argument on Tuesday, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. “He took advantage of these children and their desire to become famous.”

Contreras, charged with multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual assault; criminal sexual assault; and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, denies ever touching a child. His attorney claims the accusers are angry Contreras never put them on his show.

The judge is expected to render a verdict next month.