Ricky Martin has denied allegations that he engaged in a sexual relationship with and abused his 21-year-old nephew. A judge in Puerto Rico issued a “domestic violence-related” restraining order two weeks ago against Martin. While the victim’s name was previously unknown, according to Spanish publication Marca, Martin’s brother, Eric Martin, revealed that the victim is the singer’s nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez.
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 4, 2022
- Ricky Martin could face 50 years in prison if found guilty. Under Puerto Rico’s “incest charges” laws, the 50-year-old singer could be sentenced to half a century behind bars if found guilty of the complaint, which was filed anonymously under the Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act.
- Martin is said to have dated his nephew for seven months. If claims that the victim was indeed Martin’s nephew are true, the pair are said to have dated for seven months before Sanchez ended the relationship. Martin apparently rejected the breakup and has loitered near Sanchez’s home at least three times and has been sending abusive text messages.
- Martin’s lawyer has vehemently denied the claims. Marty Singer insisted that there was no truth to the allegations and that they were the result of mental health issues. “Unfortunately, the person who made this claim is struggling with deep mental health challenges. Ricky Martin has, of course, never been — and would never be — involved in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew,” Singer told the NY Post in a statement. “The idea is not only untrue, it is disgusting. We all hope that this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But, most of all, we look forward to this awful case being dismissed as soon as a judge gets to look at the facts.”
- Martin was also sued by his former manager earlier this month. Rebecca Drucker filed a lawsuit for $3 million for unpaid commissions. In the legal filing, she alludes to “protecting” Martin from a “potentially career-ending allegation.” At the time, his reps told the NY Post: “The allegations against Ricky Martin that led to a protection order are completely false and fabricated. We are very confident that when the true facts come out in this matter our client Ricky Martin will be fully vindicated.”
