ARIZONA NEWS

Scottsdale gallery owner accused of mocking Native American performers

Feb 9, 2023, 11:53 AM

(Facebook Photo/City of Scottsdale - Government)...

(Facebook Photo/City of Scottsdale - Government)

(Facebook Photo/City of Scottsdale - Government)

PHOENIX — The owner of a Scottsdale gallery that sells Native American jewelry and art prompted a police investigation this week after he was caught on video mocking Native performers.

Three counts of disorderly conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor, have been submitted against Gilbert Ortega, the Scottsdale Police Department said in a press release Thursday.

“The city of Scottsdale prides itself as a welcoming community and condemns this individual’s racist comments – they do not represent our community,” the release says.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police said the alleged offenses don’t meet the definition of a hate crime.

Videos circulating online shows Ortega outside the Gilbert Ortega Native American Galleries in Old Town Scottsdale.

In an Instagram post that includes the video, self-described “Alter-Native” rock group Blackbird said it was being filmed by ESPN when the incident occurred. The network is holding its Main Street Tailgate in Old Town ahead of the Super Bowl.

Ortega can be seen mocking the performance, using a profane slur and proclaiming “MAGA country.”

Scottsdale City Councilwoman Tammy Caputi took to social media to condemn Ortega, whose late father founded the business.

“There is no place for hatred and intolerance, and I condemn the behavior of Gilbert Ortega Jr.,” she said in a tweet Thursday. “I offer my full support to the victims of this act of discrimination. One bad actor does not represent Scottsdale.”

The gallery’s Yelp page was flooded with one-star reviews after the video was circulated, prompting the review site to temporarily disable posting on the page.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Pexels Photo)...

Brandon Gray

Construction on The Shops at Lake Pleasant in Peoria underway

Construction on The Shops at Lake Pleasant in Peoria has started, the shopping center owner Vestar announced in a press release Friday. 

1 day ago

(Tim Hacker/ Mesa Public Schools)...

KTAR.com

ADHS offering free drinking water lead screening for schools, child care facilities

The Arizona Department of Health Services is offering free drinking water lead screening opportunities for schools and child care facilities as part of a nationwide program.

1 day ago

Arizona Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (Arizona State Legislature and Pixabay Photos)...

Brandon Gray

Arizona Rep. Stahl Hamilton violated House rules by hiding bibles, Ethics Committee finds

The Arizona House Ethics Committee released its findings Friday on an ethics complaint filed against State Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.  

1 day ago

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)...

Associated Press

Hobbs vetoes bill requiring schools to limit transgender students’ bathroom access

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation to restrict use of public school restrooms by transgender students.

1 day ago

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

Suspect arrested after allegedly fatally shooting Little Caesars coworker in Glendale

Police have arrested a suspect accused of fatally shooting a coworker in Glendale on Friday.

1 day ago

Follow @suelenrivera...

SuElen Rivera

Tempe gets funding from Maricopa County to operate indoor cooling center

The city of Tempe received a grant from the state's most populous county to operate a new indoor cooling center in the East Valley.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

Scottsdale gallery owner accused of mocking Native American performers