Ricky Martin is finally responding to the extreme and false allegations of sexual abuse hurled at him by his nephew by hitting the nephew with a $20 million lawsuit.
The now 50-year-old Latino pop singer officially filed the lawsuit in the courts of San Juan, Puerto Rico, this past Wednesday that targeted his relative Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, as reported by TMZ. Martin made the claim that he was overtly trying to “assassinate his reputation and integrity.”
Back in July, Sanchez chose to go public with his claims that he has been part of a 7-month romantic relationship with Martin and that in the end, Martin started to talk and harass him. Sanchez attempted to file a restraining order but would go on to withdraw the petition. He then admitted under oath that he had never actually been sexually assaulted by Martin.
This particular lawsuit claims that Sanchez was the one behaving in a harassing manner, sending Martin many messages every single day. The court filing described him as a very “maladjusted individual.”
The suit goes on to allege that Sanchez leaked the personal cell phone number of Martin via social media and created another account that he pretended to be one of Martin’s kids. It also claims that Martin has lost out on quite a few multi-million dollar deals because of the backlash spawned by the false allegations of his nephew.
The singer also mentioned that he, and by extension his family, now feel entirely “unsafe” in Puerto Rico due to the event that took place. These adverse results were the reasoning behind the demand of $20 million plus an order to Sanchez to cease and refrain from all communication with Martin and his entire family.
Before this, Martin spoke out to talk about just how “devastating” the false accusations were and how they hindered his life.
“For two weeks, I was not allowed to defend myself because I was following a procedure where the law obligated me not to talk until I was in front of the judge,” Martin stated in a video near the end of July.
He stated that in the wake of the allegations having been “proven to be false,” he wanted to tell the “truth” about what actually happened.
“It has been so painful. It has been devastating for me, for my family, for my friends, and I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody,” Martin went on.
“To the person that was claiming this nonsense, 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 anybody else.”
The singer finished off his statements by thanking his fans for standing with him throughout the rodeal.
“You have no idea the strength that you gave me,” he concluded. “Every comment you wrote on social media. I wish you love and light — and here we come with the same strength and passion. God bless you all.”