Ricky Martin sues nephew for $20 million over sexual abuse allegations
Allegations of abuse against Martin were dropped in July.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Bravo
Ricky Martin is suing his nephew after allegations against the singer were proven to be false.
In July, it was reported the singer, 50, had been served with a temporary restraining order by his nephew, who alleged he’d been abused during a seven-month relationship with Martin.
On 21 July a judge decided not to extend the restraining order after the ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ singer’s 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, requested the case be dismissed.
In court documents filed on Wednesday (7 September) Martin alleges the ordeal has cost him $30 million (£25,850,550) in lost income and accuses his nephew of extortion, malicious persecution, abuse of law, and damages.
The lawsuit reportedly states that $10 million (£8,616,850) has been lost in terms of income from canceled contracts and $20 million (£17,233,700) as a result of reputational damage.
The lawsuit says he “persecuted, besieged, harassed, stalked and extorted” Martin and that if he hadn’t received money from Martin Sanchez would have continued to “assassinate the reputation and integrity of the artist.”
The documents also reveal there had been two restraining orders filed against Sánchez in an unrelated stalking case.
Sanchez is also said to have sent up to 10 messages a day to Martin between October 2021 to January 2022, most of which were “meaningless diatribes without any particular purpose.”
Between January and July, there were no messages, AP reports, but Sanchez did allegedly publish Martin’s phone number on social media forcing the singer to change it.
It also claims that Sanchez’ allegations against Martin that they had been in a relationship and Martin had harassed his nephew were false and were “nothing further from the truth.”
After the restraining order against him was dropped in July, Martin said he was focused on healing.
“Thank God these claims were proven to be false but I’m going to tell you the truth. It has been so painful. It has been devastating for me, for my family, for my friends. I don’t wish this upon anybody.”
Of Sanchez, he says: “I wish him the best and I wish he finds the help so he can start a new life filled with love and truth and joy and he doesn’t hurt anyone else.”
The Attitude September/October issue is out now.
