Popular Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin was recently accused of having a relationship with his own nephew.
Martin was recently accused of domestic violence, according to the Mexican newspaper, El Universal. However, the newspaper reported on Wednesday that the individual who accused Martin of domestic violence was the singer's own nephew.
The new revelations made by El Universal comes shortly after it was reported that a restraining order was filed against Martin. The restraining order was filed by an individual who dated Martin for several months, according to the Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero.
The restraining order also said that after Martin and the individual broke up, the singer wanted to continue the relationship and Martin went to the individual's house on several occasions, El Vocero reported.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Martin's attorney, Marty Singer, disputed the most recent allegations and said: "Unfortunately, the person who made this claim 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."
The statement continued, "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."
"The petitioner fears for his safety," the report from El Vocero said, according to the Associated Press.
While speaking with the AP earlier this month, a spokesperson for the Puerto Rican police, Axel Valencia said that officers were unable to locate Martin, but noted that the restraining order would prohibit Martin from contacting the individual who filed it.
Shortly after news of the restraining order broke, Martin issued a statement on Twitter, disputing the allegations.
"The protection order entered against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the judicial process with the facts and dignity that characterize me," Martin said in the statement. "Because it is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity, and I receive them with all my heart."
Representatives for Martin issued a similar statement to the AP, which said, "We are very confident that when the true facts come out in this matter our client Ricky Martin will be fully vindicated."
Martin's brother, Eric revealed that it was the singer's nephew who filed the restraining order against him, according to El Vocero.
"Something is telling me that I have to speak, because I am not afraid to speak, or anything. I am not afraid and I do not have to hide anything," Martin's brother said in a video while speaking about the restraining order, according to El Vocero.
Puerto Rican law says that if an individual is found guilty of having a sexual relationship with a family member, they could face a fixed prison sentence of 50 years, according to El Universal.
"They will be sanctioned with imprisonment for a fixed term of 50 years those people who have a relationship of kinship, ascending or descending; by consanguinity, adoption or affinity or collateral by consanguinity or adoption up to the third degree; or for sharing or having physical custody," the law says, according to El Universal. "And that on purpose they carried out a vaginal or anal sexual act, whether genital, digital or instrumental."
Update 7/18/22, 9:07 a.m. ET: This story was updated with new comments from Martin's lawyer.
