A new civil lawsuit has been filed against the entity that manages Michael Jackson’s estate and rights, following allegations of sexual abuse made by four brothers who, for years, were close to the artist and publicly defended his image, writes The New York Times.
The four plaintiffs – Edward, Dominic, Marie-Nicole and Aldo Cascio – allege they were abused by Jackson as children. The case was filed in February in federal court in Los Angeles. A fifth brother, Frank Cascio, also claims to have been a victim, but did not join the action for legal reasons. The allegations became public recently after those involved provided details in an interview with The New York Times.
A long-term relationship with the pop star
The Cascio family met Michael Jackson in the 80s, when the children’s father managed a Manhattan hotel where the artist frequently stayed. The relationship grew closer over time, and the children spent years around the singer, including at his famous residence, Neverland Ranch, writes Mediafax.
They accompanied him on tours and attended concerts, being considered part of the artist’s close circle. Until recently, the Cascio brothers have consistently maintained that Michael Jackson is innocent. In 2010, some of them appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where they rejected any inappropriate behavior on the part of the artist. Frank Cascio even published a book in 2011 describing the relationship with Jackson and refuting the allegations at the time. Plaintiffs now say those statements were “lies” and claim that they were psychologically manipulated as children.
Details from the testimonies and the context of the trial
Three of the brothers provided detailed descriptions of the alleged abuse, which allegedly took place both in the family home and while traveling with the artist. According to them, they did not speak about their experiences until 2020, after watching the documentary Leaving Neverland, which brought similar allegations made by others back to the public’s attention.
Their mother later confirmed that she was unaware of these situations at the time. Attorneys for the Michael Jackson Estate have denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit fair “a desperate attempt to get money” and claiming that the plaintiffs changed their version several times over time. Previously, the Cascio family had reached an out-of-court settlement with the representatives of Jackson’s estate, estimated at approximately $17 million.
At the end of 2024, they sought more than $200 million in additional damages, a request that was denied, leading to the new trial.
Allegations of abuse
Michael Jackson was first accused of abuse in 1993, and over the years there have been several investigations and lawsuits. In 2005, the artist was acquitted in a major criminal trial. The new case reignites controversy over the singer’s artistic legacy and public image, at a time when the industry is once again trying to rehabilitate his reputation, including the recent release of a biopic dedicated to his life.
The trial is at an early stage, and the court is yet to determine whether the charges can be sustained in the eyes of the law.
