Lawsuit Filed Against Michael Jackson's Estate by Former Friends Over Allegations of Abuse
Allegations Against Michael Jackson's Estate
A lawsuit has been initiated by former family friends of the late pop star Michael Jackson, accusing his estate of engaging in sex trafficking and sexual misconduct. The Cascio family alleges that the purported abuse spanned several years, beginning when some family members were still minors. They claim that Jackson earned their trust through lavish gifts and access to his celebrity lifestyle, only to isolate and exploit them during trips to various countries.
The lawsuit specifies multiple locations where these alleged incidents took place. In response, Jackson's legal representative has categorically denied the claims, labeling the lawsuit as an attempt to extort funds.
Details of the Allegations
The Cascio siblings, who had previously defended Jackson publicly, have now turned against his estate, alleging that he "drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted each of the plaintiffs, starting when they were as young as seven or eight years old." They assert that the abuse occurred during both international and domestic travels, including trips to Switzerland, South Africa, and the UK.
One plaintiff claims to have been abused at the homes of celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John. They further allege that Jackson exposed them to pornography and images of naked children, which he referred to as 'sweet.' The lawsuit also states that Jackson was frequently under the influence of drugs such as Xanax and Vicodin.
The Cascios contend that individuals close to Jackson facilitated the alleged abuse. They mention that after viewing the documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' they approached Jackson's estate and received financial compensation. According to the lawsuit, each sibling was compensated $690,000 annually for five years, which they now claim was inadequate. Reportedly, they traveled to Los Angeles last month to seek the cancellation of this settlement.
Response from Jackson's Legal Team
Jackson's attorney has dismissed the allegations as a "desperate money grab" by additional members of the Cascio family, who are joining their brother Frank, already embroiled in a civil extortion lawsuit. The attorney emphasized that the family had defended Jackson for over 25 years, asserting his innocence regarding any inappropriate behavior. He described the new lawsuit as a transparent attempt to secure hundreds of millions from Jackson's estate and associated companies, highlighting contradictions in the family's past statements regarding Jackson's conduct.