Ricky Martin continues to deny the allegations that he was involved in an intimate relationship with his 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sánchez. According to Deadline, Martin’s lawyer, Marty Singer, said Sánchez “is struggling with deep mental health challenges.”
“Ricky Martin has, of course, never been – and would never be – involved in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew,” Singer said. “The idea is not only untrue, it is disgusting. We all hope that this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But, most of all, we look forward to this awful case being dismissed as soon as a judge gets to look at the facts.”
Earlier this month, a judge signed a temporary restraining order under Law 54, which is known as the Domestic Abuse Prevention and Intervention Act, and which Ricky Martin called “false allegations.” The person who filed the complaint was unknown at the time. However, Martin’s brother, Eric, revealed in a series of videos that it was Sánchez who was behind the complaint. Sánchez alleges that he and Martin spent seven months in an intimate relationship.
Eric posted a message on social media stating that Sánchez has “hurt his mother and grandmother and that he knows the mental problems he has.” Eric adds that he attempted to connect to Dennis via phone and social media but was unsuccessful.
A hearing has been set in Puerto Rico for July 21. A felony charge of domestic abuse with a relative can carry a 50-year sentence if found guilty.
Martin will next be seen in AppleTV+’s upcoming comedy miniseries Mrs. American Pie alongside actors Carol Burnett and Kristen Wiig. The series began production in May 2022.