On Tuesday (October 18), a judge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, denied Dennis Yadiel Sánchez, Ricky Martin’s nephew, a request for a protection order against the “La Bomba” singer. Sánchez and Martin both testified in court before Judge Maranyeli Colón Requej.
Sánchez, who accused Martin of sexual abuse and harassment this past summer, took him to court again on new sexual assault allegations. He filed the lawsuit a few days after Martin sued him for $20 million in damages for extortion, malicious prosecution, and abuse of rights over Sánchez’s first lawsuit, which he dropped.
According to Telemundo, lawyers for the Grammy-winning artist offered evidence to the judge of Sánchez’s “erratic behavior and falsehoods” that started when he alleged that he and his uncle had a sexual relationship for seven months and that Martin stalked and harassed him after their relationship ended.
“From the beginning, our goal in assuming legal representation in this case was to encourage the truth to come to light and to pass honest and solid evidence about the accusations and defamations to which Ricky Martin has been subjected,” his lawyers said in a press release.
In his own statement, Martin said he felt “at peace” knowing that they are closer to ending what he had described before as an overall “nightmare” for him and his family.
“This is something I owe to my children, my husband, my family and to all those fans who have stood firm believing in my integrity,” he said.
The legal situation continues with another hearing on November 10, 2022, where a judge will decide if Ricky Martin’s current protection order against Sánchez and his lawsuit for extortion and defamation is still viable.