Ricky Martin could face up to 50 years in prison after bombshell domestic abuse allegations filed by his 21-year-old nephew.
Two weeks ago, it was revealed that a judge in Puerto Rico had issued a domestic violence restraining order against the Latin pop icon.
The name of the alleged victim was not previously released. However, according to Spanish outlet Marca, Martin’s brother, Eric Martin, claimed the victim was 21-year-old Denis Yadiel Sanchez, the singer’s nephew.
Under Puerto Rico’s “incest charges” laws, the sentence Martin, 50, could face is five decades in prison if the shocking allegations are true. The outlet reported that the complaint was filed anonymously under Act 54, known as the Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Act.
El Vocero, a newspaper in Puerto Rico, reported that the warrant states that Martin and the person who filed the complaint have been dating for seven months. The alleged victim claimed Martin did not take well to their breakup and hung out near the complainant’s home at least three times, according to the report.
The victim is said to be Martin’s 21-year-old nephew. The pop star’s attorney, Marty Singer, told The Post on Friday, “The idea is not only false, it’s disgusting. We all hope this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But most of all, we look forward to seeing this horrible case dismissed as soon as the judge gets the facts. Getty Images for amfAR
Earlier this month, Martin was sued for $3 million by his former manager, Rebecca Drucker, for unpaid commissions — and the legal filings mention that she was “protecting” the “Livin’ La Vida Loca” singer from “potentially career- end of prosecution.’
A representative for Martin told The Post at the time: “The allegations against Ricky Martin that led to the protective order are completely false and fabricated. We are very confident that when the true facts of this matter come out, our client Ricky Martin will be fully vindicated.”
When contacted by The Post on Friday, Martin’s attorney, Marty Singer, said, “Unfortunately, the man who made this allegation struggles with profound mental health issues. Ricky Martin, of course, has never been – and never will be – involved in any sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew.”
Eric and Ricky Martin are pictured together in an undated social media photo. Twitter/@Ericmartin31
Singer also said, “The idea is not only false, it’s disgusting. We all hope this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But most of all, we look forward to seeing this horrible case dismissed as soon as the judge gets the facts.
The Post also reached out to his brother Eric for comment on the dispute.
Meanwhile, “the petitioner fears for his safety,” El Vocero quoted the protection order as saying. The order reportedly prohibits the “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer from contacting or calling the person who filed it.
Martin – who released a six-song EP titled ‘Play’ on Wednesday – denied the allegations in a Twitter post on July 3, writing: “The protective order brought against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond via the trial with the facts and dignity that characterize me.
“As this is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make any detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity and I accept them wholeheartedly.”
The singer reportedly had a relationship with her nephew for seven months. Getty Images for amfAR
The trial is due to begin on July 21.
Martin and his husband, Spanish-born artist Jvan Yosef, have been married since 2017.
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