Ballet master asks for leave of absence amid sex harassment claims

Embattled ballet master Peter Martins is asking for a temporary leave of absence as officials continue to investigate allegations made against him of sexual harassment.

The 71-year-old longtime head of the New York City Ballet announced the move in a statement Thursday to the Washington Post.

“Because of all the distraction these false claims are creating for New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet, which I love and to which I have devoted the last 47 years of my life, I am asking the board of directors of both institutions for permission to take a temporary leave of absence until such time as the current independent investigation into these matters has been completed,” Martins said.

Like he has done in the past, the NYCB master-in-chief reportedly denied the allegations of sexual harassment made against him recently in a letter that was sent to company.

He released the statement Thursday after The Post reached out for comment in regard to a previous claim made by NYCB soloist Kelly Cass Boal, who claims to have been physically abused by Martins.

Officials have only described the accusations against the ballet master as “general” and “non-specific,” while offering no further details.

Martins had already been removed from his teaching duties at the School of American Ballet before he made the decision to step away.