Updated: A disturbing court case against Ricky Martin has been dismissed, reports People. The singer's nephew, who had accused Martin of sexual abuse, requested that his case be dismissed, and a judge in Puerto Rico agreed to the request. As a result, a restraining order issued against Martin also has been lifted. In a statement, attorneys for Martin said "this was never anything more than a troubled individual making false allegations with absolutely nothing to substantiate them." Our story from Friday follows:
Earlier this month, Ricky Martin posted a short message on social media addressing a temporary restraining order against him, apparently linked to unspecified domestic violence allegations that Martin called "completely false." Now, more details are filtering out and it's a lot to unpack, involving a Martin family member who is making some serious allegations against the 50-year-old singer from Puerto Rico, per TMZ.
Spanish news website Marca has IDed the person who brought the domestic violence claim against Martin: Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, Martin's 21-year-old nephew. The nephew is reportedly claiming that he ended a seven-month relationship with his uncle a couple of months ago and that Martin didn't react well to the breakup, lobbing "physical and psychological attacks" against him, per Marca. The website notes Puerto Rico's harsh incest laws, which it says could result in a 50-year sentence in the event of a conviction.
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Martin attorney Marty Singer has issued a statement that says Martin refutes "any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew" and that "the person who made this claim is struggling with deep mental health challenges," per Deadline. "The idea is not only untrue, it is disgusting." El Universo reports that Eric Martin, Martin's brother, has come to the singer's defense, confirming in a Facebook Live that the nephew in question has mental health issues and hasn't been in contact with the family. Martin is set to attend a hearing on the allegations on Thursday. (More Ricky Martin stories.)
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