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Ricky Martin Sues Nephew For $20 Million In Extortion Lawsuit

Ricky Martin has filed a lawsuit against his nephew who accused him of domestic violence and incest. As we reported in July, Martin’s 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, voluntarily dismissed…

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin attends Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 presented by Amazon Prime Video at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles, California; and broadcast on September 24, 2021.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3 Presented by Amazon Prime Video

Ricky Martin has filed a lawsuit against his nephew who accused him of domestic violence and incest. As we reported in July, Martin’s 21-year-old nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, voluntarily dismissed the would-be case. In a statement shared at the time, Martin’s legal team said, "Just as we had anticipated, the temporary protection order was not extended by the court. The accuser confirmed to the court that his decision to dismiss the matter was his alone, without any outside influence or pressure."

The legal team went on to say that it was at his nephew's request to dismiss the case. “This was never anything more than a troubled individual making false allegations with absolutely nothing to substantiate them. We are glad that our client saw justice done and can now move forward with his life and his career.”

In the new lawsuit filed Wednesday (September 7), per a report from CBS News, Martin’s team argues that these ultimately retracted allegations cost the singer millions in income. The amount of damages is reported to be $20 million in missed earnings.

"The present case is about a world-famous artist, who is being persecuted, besieged, harassed, stalked and extorted by a maladjusted person, whose interest is to obtain an economic benefit or, in the alternative, will continue his eagerness to assassinate the reputation and integrity of the artist," the suit claims. "The situation has continued despite the Defendant voluntarily withdrawing from an action he had commenced against Plaintiff based on falsehoods, during which he admitted under oath that he had never been sexually assaulted by Plaintiff."

Detailed in the suit are multiple instances in which Martin’s nephew proceeded to continue sending threatening messages to the singer after the restraining order withdrawal. Some of those threats included demanding money in exchange for ceasing a “campaign to assassinate his reputation” through the sharing of false claims.

Ricky Martin is a lot of things:  A singer, actor, author, husband, father, and a former boy band member. He's also incredibly polished and stylish. To celebrate his birthday, let's look over his best looks over the past few years.

1188270963.jpg(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Ricky Martin speaks onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)


861448020.jpg(Photo by Kevin Winter/One Voice: Somos Live!/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 14: In this handout photo provided by One Voice: Somos Live!, singer Ricky Martin performs onstage during "One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert For Disaster Relief" at the Universal Studios Lot on October 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/One Voice: Somos Live!/Getty Images)


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MIAMI BEACH, FL - DECEMBER 07: Ricky Martin attends the Art Basel Miami Beach 2017 - The Global Gift Foundation USA Benefit Hurricane Relief Efforts In Puerto Rico And Florida at Nobu Eden Roc Hotel on December 7, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)


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HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 08: Actor Ricky Martin attends the premiere of FX's "The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" at ArcLight Hollywood on January 8, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)


1187730645.jpg(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Ricky Martin speaks onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)


1187710993.jpg(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Ricky Martin attends the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)


1150229585.jpg(Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Recording artist Ricky Martin attends the MOCA Benefit 2019 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on May 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)


1077233254.jpg(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Actor-singer Ricky Martin attends the 19th Annual AFI Awards at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 4, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)


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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Ricky Martin attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)


969339976.jpg(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 07: Ricky Martin attends Build at Build Studio on June 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)


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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 26: Ricky Martin attends the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)


1187737119.jpg(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Ricky Martin performs onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)


1191797051.jpg(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior Men)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 03: Ricky Martin attends the Dior Men's Fall 2020 Runway Show on December 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior Men)


1188270963.jpg(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Ricky Martin speaks onstage during the 20th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for LARAS)

Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.