As the biopic of Michael Jackson gains acclaim in theaters, the late pop icon’s estate is confronted with fresh molestation accusations. Four siblings from New Jersey have come forward, alleging long-term grooming and abuse, with claims that Jackson’s entourage facilitated the misconduct. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court, highlights the siblings’ ordeal and legal battles against the Jackson estate post the superstar’s demise in 2009.
The complaint targets the Jackson estate, led by attorneys John Branca and John McLain, along with private investigator Herman Weisberg. It details instances of alleged abuse during Jackson’s concert tours in the U.S. and abroad, as well as in the siblings’ New Jersey home. The family accuses Jackson of preying on them, even when he visited with his own children, painting a grim picture of prolonged abuse across various locations.
The estate’s representatives dismiss the lawsuit as a money-driven scheme and deny the allegations, labeling them as a ploy for financial gain. They assert that the family attempted to extort money from the estate to keep the accusations private. The complaint paints a harrowing picture, describing Jackson as a serial child predator who drugged and assaulted the plaintiffs over several years, starting when some were as young as seven or eight. The siblings claim that Jackson manipulated and indoctrinated each of them in secrecy throughout their formative years.
