Ricky Martin will appear in court to testify against his cousin who alleged the two had a sexual relationship.
According to TMZ, sources with direct knowledge of the allegation say Martin will appear before a judge in Puerto Rico via Zoom on Thursday.
The news comes after Martin denied allegations that he and his 21-year-old cousin had a “romantic or sexual relationship” for seven months.
“Unfortunately, the person who made this claim is struggling with serious mental health issues,” Martin’s attorney Marty Singer previously told The Post. “Ricky Martin, of course, has never – and never would have been – involved in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew.”
Singer even called the claims “disgusting” and “false.”
“The idea is not only false, it is disgusting. We all hope this man gets the help he so desperately needs,” he said. “But above all, we look forward to seeing this appalling case dropped as soon as a judge can look at the facts.”
About two weeks ago, a judge in Puerto Rico issued a restraining order against the Latin pop singer, which Martin later said was unfounded.
“The protection order issued against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the legal proceedings with the facts and dignity that characterize me,” the 50-year-old star posted on Twitter at the time.
Although the alleged victim’s name was anonymous, Martin’s brother, Eric, claimed it was Dennis Yadiel Sanchez. If the claims prove true, Martin could face up to five decades in prison under Puerto Rico’s laws for “incest charges.” According to Marca, the Spanish publication that originally broke the story, the complaint against Martin was reported anonymously under Law 54, or the Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Act.
According to El Vocero, a Puerto Rican newspaper, Martin and the victim had been dating for seven months and the relationship ended badly. The publication reported that Martin reportedly misunderstood the heartbreak and was reportedly hanging out near the victim’s home.
The lawsuit, which begins Thursday, comes after Martin was hit by a $3 million lawsuit from a former manager. Rebecca Drucker is suing Martin, who married Spanish-born artist Jwan Yosef in 2017, for unpaid commissions. Her lawsuit also referred to a “potentially career-ending allegation” in September 2020, though Martin reportedly “emerged unscathed and continued his professional resurgence”.