Azteca América TV host Frank Cairo was arrested and charged yesterday with grand theft for allegedly stealing a set of patio chairs and a carpet from a neighbor in Miami.
The 48 year-old producer and TV personality whose real name is Iván Valdés, was caught in a surveillance video with friend Jorge Acuña Arias taking the items from his neighbor’s porch on April 29.
The Miami Herald reports that during a press conference, Doral Police Chief Rick Gómez said Valdés “admitted” to the theft, saying he entered the apartment because he thought it was abandoned.
Frank is a well-known personality in Miami, so the arrest generated a media frenzy. He spoke to the press on his way to jail saying the videos didn’t tell the whole truth and that he makes half a million dollars, so he doesn’t need to steal anything.
Frank started his TV career on Telemiami in 1982. He helped launch “El Show de Cristina” as one of the show’s producers in 1989.
He joined Telemundo in 1992, where he was a producer for “El Show de María Laria” and “Sevcec.” After another stint at Univision as producer for “Cristina” and “Primer Impacto,” he joined MegaTV in 2006 as executive producer and host of “Paparazzi.”
In 2011, he joined Azteca América as host of gossip show “Frank Cairo Sin Libreto.”