Michael Jackson Estate Faces Lawsuit from Former Family Friends Over Sexual Abuse Allegations
Michael Jackson's former family friends, the Cascio siblings, have initiated legal action against the late singer's estate, making serious allegations of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The plaintiffs, who were close to Jackson for years, claim the abuse started when some of them were as young as seven or eight years old and persisted for nearly a decade.
Detailed Allegations of Abuse and Trafficking
According to court documents, Edward Cascio, Dominic Cascio, Marie Porte, and Aldo Cascio are suing The Michael Jackson Company and other entities. They allege they were "drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted" by Jackson. The lawsuit accuses him of sex trafficking children through force, fraud, or coercion, using tactics such as:
- Providing gifts and access to his celebrity lifestyle to gain trust
- Making declarations of love to manipulate the siblings
- Isolating them from each other and their families before the alleged abuse occurred
The complaint details incidents that reportedly took place during interstate and international trips to locations including Switzerland, Florida, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Edward Cascio specifically claims he was abused in Elizabeth Taylor's Switzerland home and Elton John's United Kingdom residence.
Normalization of Abuse and Drug Use Allegations
The siblings further allege that Jackson normalized the abusive behavior by exposing them to "pornography and pictures of unclothed children," which they say he referred to as "sweet." Additionally, they claim he was frequently under the influence of prescription drugs such as Xanax and Vicodin during these encounters.
Estate's Strong Denial and Counterclaims
Attorney Marty Singer, representing the Michael Jackson estate, has issued a forceful denial of all allegations. In a statement, Singer characterized the lawsuit as "a desperate money grab by additional members of the Cascio family" who have joined their brother Frank, who is already facing arbitration for civil extortion.
Singer emphasized that the family defended Jackson for over 25 years, consistently asserting his innocence regarding inappropriate conduct. He called the new filing "a transparent forum-shopping tactic" in a scheme to extract hundreds of millions of dollars from Jackson's estate and associated companies.
The attorney pointed to contradictions in the Cascios' current claims compared to their past statements, including passages in Frank Cascio's 2011 book and interviews with Oprah Winfrey, where they repeatedly asserted that Jackson never harmed them or anyone else.
Financial Demands and Previous Settlements
The siblings reveal they previously received $690,000 annually for five years following the documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' but now believe this compensation was insufficient. Their attorney, Howard King, has stated his clients deserve $200 million in damages for the alleged abuse and trafficking.
This lawsuit adds to the complex legal history surrounding Michael Jackson's legacy, with the estate maintaining his innocence while facing renewed allegations from individuals who were once among his closest associates.
