We all know what false accusations can do to a person’s career, family, and reputation. Ricky Martin, a Puerto Rican superstar, knows only too well. His nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, accused him of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
In July, Dennis claimed that he and his uncle were in a seven-month-long romantic relationship. Dennis also claimed that when the relationship ended, Ricky Martin began stalking and harassing him. Dennis filed a restraining order against the singer, but later withdrew it.
According to CNN, Dennis Sanchez dropped the allegations of sexual abuse against Martin. When a judge lifted the restraining order in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ricky Martin stated the allegations were painful and damaging.
In recorded remarks, Martin said, “I have been working on stages for almost four decades, in the public eye and I have never, ever had to deal with something as painful as what I have experienced in the last two weeks. I was a victim of a lie. Unfortunately, the attack came from a family member who is sadly dealing with mental issues.”
After the allegations were dropped, Ricky Martin released a video saying he needed to start his healing process and began to speak out about the grief the allegations caused.
In retaliation, more than a month later, Ricky Martin’s lawyers filed a lawsuit against his nephew Dennis. Ricky Martin is seeking $20 million in damages.
The lawsuit, which declares Ricky Martin as the plaintiff and Daniel Sanchez as the defendant, claims that the singer has been “harassed, persecuted, besieged, stalked, and extorted” by his nephew. The suit also claims that his nephew began sending messages through Instagram threatening that he would destroy his “reputation and integrity” unless he paid him cash.
The lawsuit says that before the restraining order was issued against Martin, Dennis was publicly boasting about being Ricky’s nephew and messaging him up to 10 times a day for four months. The lawsuit also states that the harassment has continued despite his nephew withdrawing his allegations under oath in July.
Martin also shared that his nephew posted his phone number on his Instagram page and created an Instagram page for one of his children, which made him very uncomfortable. Dennis’s allegations against Ricky Martin resulted in the singer losing contracts and projects estimated to be worth at least $10 million. The superstar is asking for $20 million in damages for the losses he allegedly suffered.
Ricky Martin says that his nephew’s actions have caused him and his family to feel unsafe in Puerto Rico. He wants a judge to order Dennis to refrain from communicating with him and his family.
