Ricky Martin can reportedly face 50 years in prison after domestic violence allegations allegedly filed by his 21-year-old cousin.
Earlier this month, it was announced that a judge in Puerto Rico has issued a restraining order against the Latin pop icon.
The victim’s name has not been previously disclosed; However, according to Spanish publication Marca, Martin’s brother, Eric Martin, claimed that the victim is 21-year-old Dennis Yadiel Sanchez – the singer’s cousin.
Under Puerto Rico’s laws on incest charges, Martin could be sentenced to 50 years in prison if the charges are true.
The publication reported that the complaint was made anonymously under Act 54, known as the Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Act.
El Vocero, a Puerto Rico newspaper, reported that the order states that Martin and the person who filed the complaint are seven months old. The person reportedly claimed that Martin misunderstood the breakup and has hung out near the petitioner’s home at least three times, according to the report.
Earlier this month, Martin was slammed with a $3 million lawsuit from his ex-manager, Rebecca Drucker, for unpaid commissions, and the legal documents reportedly refer to a “potentially career-ending allegation”.
“The allegations against Ricky Martin that led to a protective order are completely false and fabricated,” a representative for Martin told The Post earlier this month. “We are confident that when the real facts in this case come out, our client Ricky Martin will be fully vindicated.”
After initial denials of the “career-ending allegation” rumored by his ex-manager, Martin’s representatives have failed to respond to The Post’s repeated requests for comment on the Puerto Rican reports, the ensuing viral Twitter outcry. and TMZ covering the story in the US market. The Post has also reached out to his brother Eric for comment on the controversy.
“The petitioner fears for his safety,” El Vocero quoted the protection order as saying. The warrant reportedly forbids the “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer from contacting or calling the person who filed it.
Martin – who released a six-song EP on Wednesday entitled “Play” – denied the allegations in a… post on Twitter on 3 July writing: “The protection order issued against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the judicial process with the facts and dignity that characterize me.
“As it is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make any detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity and receive them with all my heart.”
The legal proceedings begin on July 21.
Martin and his husband, Spanish-born artist Jwan Yosef, have been married since 2017.