Ricky Martin’s nephew withdraws incest and abuse claims against singer
Ricky Martin has won his high-refile case against his nephew. (Clint Spalding/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR)
Ricky Martin’s nephew, who accused the singer of incest and abuse, has withdrawn his claim.
A San Juan court in Puerto Rico dismissed the case against Martin on Thursday (21 July). A temporary restraining order brought against Martin, 50, was dropped as a result.
His lawyers said in a statement: “Just as we had anticipated, the temporary protection order was not extended by the court.
“The accuser confirmed to the court that his decision to dismiss the matter was his alone, without any outside influence or pressure, and the accuser confirmed he was satisfied with his legal representation in the matter. The request came from the accuser asking to dismiss the case.
“This was never anything more than a troubled individual making false allegations with absolutely nothing to substantiate them.
“We are glad that our client saw justice done and can now move forward with his life and his career.”
Martin appeared in court via Zoom to deny any romantic or sexual relationship with his nephew and challenged allegations that he stalked and harassed him.
It ends a weeks-long saga in which Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, Martin’s sister’s son, alleged he had a seven-month-long relationship with Martin.
Ricky Martin denied any wrongdoing. Pictured: The singer and his husband Jwan Yosef. (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Sanchez made an anonymous complaint under the Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act, also known as Law 54, against Martin.
The restraining order claimed he and Martin broke up around two months ago but Martin did not accept the separation. He lingered outside Sanchez’s house at least three times and subjected Martin to “physical and psychological abuse”.
Sanchez’s name had been redacted from court documents but the “Livin’ La Vida Loca’ hitmaker’s representatives confirmed his identity.
His lawyer, Marty Singer, said in a statement last week: “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. 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.”
