Michael Jackson during a performance in Singapore in 1993 STR / AFP The United States Court has decided that the child abuse case involving singer Michael Jackson and the Cascio brothers will not be judged in public by a jury, but through private arbitration. In April this year, in the opening week of "Michael", a biopic of the King of Pop, a family close to the singer filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse. The complaint made by the Cascio family, who described themselves as "the second family" of the King of Pop, marks a drastic turnaround. They publicly defended the artist's innocence for more than 25 years, including television interviews in which the brothers (children at the time) denied any inappropriate interaction with the singer.
US court rules that abuse case against Michael Jackson will be resolved in private arbitration
Michael Jackson during a performance in Singapore in 1993 STR / AFP The United States Court has decided that the child abuse case involving singer Michael Jackson and the Cascio brothers will not be judged in public by a jury, but through...
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The complaint made by the Cascio family, who described themselves as "the second family" of the King of Pop, marks a drastic turnaround. They publicly defended the artist's innocence for more than 25 years, including television interviews in which the brothers (children at the time) denied any inappropriate interaction with the singer.
- However, according to "Rolling Stone" magazine, a federal judge decided that the case will be analyzed away from the public eye.
- The North American magistrate granted a request from Michael Jackson's estate, alleging that, in 2019, a confidentiality agreement had been signed with the brothers.
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However, according to "Rolling Stone" magazine, a federal judge decided that the case will be analyzed away from the public eye. The North American magistrate granted a request from Michael Jackson's estate, alleging that, in 2019, a confidentiality agreement had been signed with the brothers. Also according to "Rolling Stone", the Cascios' defense resorted to 2021 legislation, known as the "End of Forced Arbitration for Sexual Harassment and Abuse Cases Act", to try to annul the document. However, the US Court stated that the law cannot be retroactive. Accusations against Michael Jackson The accusations detail severe predatory behavior, alleging that Jackson drugged and raped victims, with abuse beginning at the age of seven or eight. According to the document, the singer used "brainwashing", luxurious gifts and specific codes to commit abuse, in addition to providing alcohol and hard drugs to minors. The family claims that the documentary "Leaving Neverland" (2019) was fundamental in "deprogramming" them and helping them process the traumas they experienced, which would have been facilitated and hidden by the artist's employees and advisors. In response, the estate's lawyer, Marty Singer, classified the move as a "desperate extortion attempt", claiming that the family is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars and is using opportunistic tactics after decades of supporting the singer.