Who is Alberto Alvarez? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security chief was FIRED by Michael Jackson family
Earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hired a new security head, whose dark pasts have now been revealed. Alberto Alvarez, 45, had worked with Michael Jackson but was fired by Jackson's family after they discovered drunk driving and domestic abuse accusations against him. Although the celebrity security head remained loyal to Jackson, the family reportedly fired him soon after the legendary pop star's death as they felt something was not right with him. He was one of the first at the scene when the King of Pop was found dead at his home in June 2009.
Alvarez's DUI and domestic abuse offenses came to light in a story published that month by the now-defunct website PopEater, which was acquired by the Huffington Post. If these shady details were to be ignored, the 45-year-old is described as well-trained, has 15 years of expertise, and is accustomed to working with celebrities. The site claimed that the Jacksons got rid of the security guard 'after they discovered he had a criminal record and no longer felt he should be near the family's large brood of children. He served as Jackson's bodyguard for more than half a decade. He was pictured by the singer’s side during Jackson’s 2004 child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, and again in Beverly Hills in May 2009 just days before Jackson’s death. Alvarez had also worked for One Direction.
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After Jackson's death, neighbors reported that the singer's security head had kept his position a secret. Alvarez was a major witness in the inquiry into Jackson's death, informing the LAPD that Jackson's physician Conrad Murray stopped performing CPR on him in order to conceal vials of Propofol. However, there was a dispute about Alvarez's testimony to the police, as he waited for two months before bringing the allegations against Murray.
A family member told the website when Alvarez began fabricating stories, the estate decided to investigate him. He was convicted of DUI with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 percent and driving without a license in Pomona in October 2009, according to Los Angeles court records acquired by DailyMail. The security chief was placed on three years of probation, fined $390, and was required to satisfactorily complete a three-month approved first-offender alcohol and other drug education and counseling program, according to court documents.
In addition to a DUI, he also had a domestic violence incident on his record. In the year 2000, he was charged with felony domestic violence for "bodily injury to a spouse or intimate partner" and disturbing the peace. He was also sentenced to three years of probation. Alvarez was charged with 'maliciously and willfully disturb[ing] another person by loud and unreasonable noise.' As part of his plea agreement, the judge dismissed the domestic violence allegation "in the interest of justice."
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In May, he was spotted cycling with the former British royal in Montecito, California, and rumors of his appointment by Harry and Meghan emerged. Besides photographs of him riding his bike with Prince Harry and a friend near the royal's $15 million Montecito house, he has also been spotted alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, at the Uvalde, Texas mass shooting memorial.
Alvarez now works as an 'Executive Protection Agent' for TorchStone Global, according to his LinkedIn. Alvarez is licensed as a security guard and has an exposed firearm permit with the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services valid until May 31, 2024.