Michael Jackson accused of child sex trafficking in new lawsuit
Michael Jackson Accused of Child Sex Trafficking in New Lawsuit
A recent legal action in California has unveiled fresh allegations against the late pop icon Michael Jackson, with four siblings claiming he was a “serial child predator” who targeted them during childhood. The plaintiffs, Edward, Dominic, and Aldo Cascio, along with their sister Marie-Nicole Porte, assert that Jackson subjected them to drugging, rape, and sexual assault over a span of more than a decade, beginning when they were as young as seven or eight.
According to the lawsuit, the siblings met Jackson through their father, who worked at a hotel frequently visited by the singer. The complaint also names the Michael Jackson Co. and entities linked to his estate, trust, and production companies as defendants. Plaintiffs’ attorney Howard King emphasized that the lawsuit aims to hold these parties accountable for Jackson’s actions and their own role in enabling the abuse.
“Plaintiffs reject the Jackson Estate’s morally bankrupt efforts to control and silence them,” King stated in the filing. “This action seeks to ensure the estate, its affiliates, and those who represent it face consequences for Jackson’s conduct and their own misconduct.”
In contrast, Martin Singer, a seasoned entertainment lawyer representing Jackson’s estate, criticized the lawsuit as a “desperate money grab.” He argued that the filing is a strategic move to extract millions from the estate, noting that the Cascios had previously defended Jackson’s innocence. “These shakedown attempts come over 15 years after Michael’s death, eliminating any risk of defamation claims,” Singer added.
The lawsuit references Edward Cascio’s 2011 book, where family members consistently affirmed Jackson’s innocence. Additionally, a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey revealed that Edward, Frank, and Marie-Nicole Cascio all agreed Jackson had not harmed them. Singer highlighted the family’s long-standing support for Jackson, stating, “His years of brainwashing prevented the plaintiffs from seeking help while he was alive and for years after.”
The plaintiffs allege they were “deprogrammed” by the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which exposed Jackson’s abuse. They claim this revelation forced them to recognize the harm caused by his actions. Earlier that year, the Jackson Estate had offered the family $690,000 as compensation for the abuse and the organization’s role in covering it. However, the plaintiffs signed the agreement without having legal counsel review it, according to King.
Jackson was acquitted in 2005 of all charges related to molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He died on June 25, 2009, at age 50 from acute propofol intoxication. His personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the incident.
