Ricky Martin: Domestic abuse accusations are ‘totally false’
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin hotly denied accusations of domestic abuse made in an island court after confirming that a Law 54 complaint against him had been filed in which a protection order was issued.
“The protection order filed against me is based on totally false allegations, so I will face the process with the responsibility that characterizes me,” Martin said on his social networks over the weekend. “As it is a legal matter in progress, I cannot make particular statements. I appreciate the innumerable shows of solidarity and I receive them with all my heart.”
Martin, 50, must appear before Judge Raiza Cajigas Campbell at the San Juan Municipal Court on July 21 at 9 a.m. for a hearing on the complaint filed directly with the court without the petitioner contacting the police, according to local press reports.
“The petitioned party is warned that, if he does not appear at the adjudicative hearing, the Court may record default and grant the remedies requested in the petition or any other remedy that is appropriate by law,” reads the protection order issued last Friday morning, which the local news outlet Metro was able to review.
It is established in the same order that if a natural disaster or situation occurs that prevents the court from operating on the day of the citation, the protection order will be automatically extended for seven additional calendar days. The order issued by Judge Cajigas Campbell is valid until July 21, the date of the evidentiary hearing.
The order was issued “ex parte,” meaning that neither the singer nor his legal representation was a party to the proceedings.
“The petitioner appears in his own right. The parties were related for seven months. They separated two months ago, but the petitioned [Martin] does not accept the separation. He calls him frequently,” the order states in the fact-finding. “In addition, the petitioner has seen him hanging around his residence on at least three occasions. Petitioner fears for his safety.”