SPEED WARNING: This article contains references to sexual abuse.Michael Jackson’s estate is pushing back against a sex-trafficking lawsuit filed by four members of the Cascio family, who accuse the siblings and their lawyer of engaging in what they call a “shakedown.”“The estate has filed a motion to keep the proceedings out of open court, citing a mandatory arbitration clause in a 2020 settlement with the siblings. The four plaintiffs, Edward Cascio, Dominic Cascio, Marie-Nicole Porte and Aldo Cascio, allege Jackson sexually abused them as children.According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY, the estate says the siblings demanded “a whopping $213 million in settlement,” even though they each received nearly $700,000 annually in the previous settlement.
What Michael Jackson’s estate denounces
The filing stated that the siblings and their attorney, Howard E. King, made “outrageous threats” to “file a bogus public lawsuit with outlandish allegations against Michael” if they did not pay them additional money. When the lawsuit was filed, the estate said the siblings violated several terms of the existing agreement, including “binding and mandatory confidential arbitration provisions.”The estate also points to what it describes as a contradiction in the siblings’ position, noting that the Cascios have previously referred to the Jacksons as their “second family” and have long defended Jackson against allegations of sexual misconduct, including in a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey. The estate argued that their current claims “contradict previous statements to protect and defend Michael.”Estate attorney Marty Singer addressed the lawsuit in a statement to the publication on March 2, calling it “a desperate cash grab by more members of the Cascio family, who have already sued in arbitration for civil extortion, along with their brother Frank.”
Claimed by the Cascio siblings
The siblings and their lawyers have pushed back on the estate’s characterization of the events. King said the claims made by him and his siblings are “categorically false,” saying representatives of Jackson’s estate were contacted around April 2024 to increase the estate’s compensation, at which time their attorneys “requested payment proportionate to Jackson’s crimes and damages.”“The siblings said they were “groomed, brainwashed and severely manipulated” by Jackson, according to the estate’s opposition to the motion. They are demanding monetary compensation and the complete annulment of the previous agreement, arguing that they were pressured to sign under false pretenses and were prevented from “talking about the years of abuse they suffered”. Their lawyer argued the agreement was “null and void”.“The lawsuit, which was filed in February, continues as the two sides continue to debate whether the case should be settled in private arbitration or in public court.THE NEGATIVES: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, assault or abuse, seek immediate help. Contact a mental health specialist, NGO or someone you trust. Several helplines are available to provide assistance.The information in this report is based on a legal hearing reported by a third-party source. The details given are allegations made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case continues, and a final verdict has not been reached. The publication does not claim that the allegations are true.
