Ricky Martin filed a $20 million lawsuit against his 21-year-old cousin Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, who accused the star of sexual abuse, according to documents obtained by NYP.
TMZ, which first reported the news, noted that the 50-year-old “Livin’ La Vida” singer filed the suit Wednesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A month after Sanchez revoked his restraining order against the pop star, Martin claims Sanchez began messaging him via Instagram, threatening to “destroy his reputation and integrity” if he didn’t cough up cash.
Martin alleges in his lawsuit that Sanchez – whom he described as a “maladjusted individual” – boasted that he was his cousin and would message him up to 10 times a day for a period of four months.
The former Menudo member also claims that Sanchez posted his mobile number to the internet and created an Instagram account for one of his children, which has left the father of four unnerved.
Martin believes he has missed lucrative business opportunities, argues the suit, and is seeking $20 million in damages.
In addition, the entertainer – who has parents Valentino and Matteo, both 14, and Lucia and Renn, both 3, with husband Jwan Yosef, – says he and his family feel “unsafe” in Puerto Rico because of Sanchez’s alleged behavior.
A representative for Martin did not immediately respond to Vidak For Congress’s request for comment.
In July, in a video from Vidak For Congress, Martin explained why he hadn’t addressed Sanchez’s allegations of incestuous relationships when they first came out – despite his team vehemently denying the “false and fabricated” claims at the time.
“For two weeks I was not allowed to defend myself because I was in a procedure, where the law … obliged me not to speak until I went to trial,” Martin, who was formally dressed in a suit and tie, said in the clip. .
Martin’s lawyers told Vidak For Congress that the prosecution “confirmed to the court that his decision to dismiss the case was his alone, without any outside influence or pressure, and the prosecution confirmed that he was satisfied with his legal representation in the case. “
Sanchez, the son of Ricky’s half-sister Vanessa Martin, previously claimed that he and his uncle had been dating for seven months, and Ricky stalked him at his house after they broke up two months ago.
In his video message, Ricky expressed relief at the dismissal of the case, but noted the negative impact on the lives of his loved ones.
“Thank God these claims have been proven wrong, but I’m going to tell you the truth, it’s been so painful and devastating to me, to my family and to my friends,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”