According to The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times, the Cascio family — including parents Dominic and Connie Cascio and four of their children — has brought serious allegations against the singer. The family, who once publicly defended Jackson on television and in interviews, claims the alleged abuse occurred at Neverland Ranch, during trips, and at various tour stops.
The lawsuit describes Jackson as a “serial child predator” who allegedly “drugged, raped and sexually assaulted” the plaintiffs, beginning when some were as young as seven or eight years old. It further accuses him of grooming and brainwashing the children with “obsessive attention, lavish gifts, access to his celebrity lifestyle, and declarations that he loved and needed each of them.”
Previous Support and Alleged Settlement
For more than 25 years, the Cascio family staunchly supported Jackson, including appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show to attest to his innocence. The complaint notes that the family had approached the Jackson estate years ago with these allegations. Reports indicate both sides later entered into a private settlement agreement reportedly worth around $16 million over five years.However, when payments allegedly stopped in 2025, negotiations broke down, leading to the filing of the new lawsuit. The family reportedly said that watching the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland helped them process their experiences and encouraged them to come forward. The director of Leaving Neverland, Dan Reid quoting The Hollywood Reporter, said Michael Jackson “was worse than Jeffrey Epstein.”
Jackson Estate’s Strong Denial
A lawyer for the estate, Marty Singer, issued a strong rebuttal to The Hollywood Reporter, calling the claims a “desperate money grab.” Singer stated, “The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct. This new court filing is a transparent forum-shopping tactic in their scheme to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Michael’s estate and companies.”
‘Michael’ Biopic Performs Well Amid Controversy
Meanwhile, the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic Michael, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, is off to a strong start at the box office. Michael Jackson died in 2009. His musical legacy continues to divide opinion, with millions celebrating his artistry while recurring abuse allegations and legal battles cast a long shadow over his name.
The new complaint adds another chapter to the complex and often contentious posthumous narrative surrounding one of the world’s most iconic entertainers. The case is ongoing, and the estate has vigorously denied all allegations.
(With ANI inputs)
