A.B. Quintanilla, brother of late Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, is suing his sister Suzette Quintanilla Arriaga and her company Q Productions for more than $1 million, according to legal documents obtained by the Daily Mail.
The lawsuit accuses Suzette and Q Productions of failing to pay A.B. his full share of profits generated by Selena's entertainment properties, more than three decades after the singer was murdered.
Q Productions handles Selena's entertainment affairs, intellectual property rights, commercial ventures and legacy.
Before the lawsuit was filed, Suzette and her mother Marcella issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. "There was no theft by Suzette. Suzette has not stolen, misappropriated, or improperly taken money or property belonging to A.B., Abraham, Marcella, Chris, Selena's estate, or any family-owned or jointly owned business," Marcella said.
Chris Perez, who married Selena in 1992, issued a statement on Facebook saying he is "not getting involved in any kind of legal capacity with either side."
Who was Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
Selena, whose biggest hits included "Como la Flor" and "Dreaming of You," was murdered on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas, by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club.
Saldívar was convicted of murder after shooting the singer during a confrontation at a motel. She was sentenced to life in prison and was denied parole last year.
Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, who died last year at age 86, gave the press conference announcing her death, his voice cracking with grief as he said: "Our Selena was killed this morning by a disgruntled employee."
Saldívar's parole denial
Saldívar was denied parole last year after becoming eligible for the first time since her sentencing in 1995. She is 65 and will not be eligible for parole again until March 2030.
Selena's family said they were "grateful" for the decision. "Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar," Selena's family members and her husband, Chris Pérez, wrote in a joint statement at the time. "While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon."
"Selena's legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit," they continued. "As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves."
Selena's lasting legacy
Selena was already one of the most popular Mexican-American singers of all time before her death, and her stature in Latin and Tejano music only increased afterward.
An album, "Dreaming of You," was released posthumously in July 1995 and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, a first for a Latin recording artist.
In 1997, a biopic about the star's life and death, titled "Selena," further cemented her music as a cultural force. It also gave Jennifer Lopez her breakout performance in the lead role.
