Cascio siblings file federal lawsuit against Jackson estate
*Four members of the Cascio family, once close friends of Michael Jackson, filed a federal lawsuit Feb. 27, accusing the late pop star of sex trafficking and child sexual abuse spanning more than a decade.
Edward Cascio, Dominic Cascio, Marie Porte, and Aldo Cascio allege Jackson “drugged, raped and sexually assaulted” them beginning when some were as young as 7 or 8 years old, according to court documents obtained by multiple news outlets.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court, names The Michael Jackson Company and the estate’s co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, as defendants. Claims include sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion, negligence, emotional distress, breach of contract, and fraud.
Allegations detail grooming, isolation, abuse
The siblings claim Jackson gained their trust through lavish gifts, access to his celebrity lifestyle, and declarations of love before isolating them from family and beginning the abuse.
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According to the complaint, Jackson normalized the abuse by showing the children “pornography and pictures of unclothed children,” which he called “sweet.” The lawsuit alleges Jackson was frequently under the influence of prescription drugs including Xanax and Vicodin during the incidents.
Alleged abuse occurred during interstate and international trips, including at properties owned by Elizabeth Taylor in Switzerland and Elton John in the United Kingdom.
The siblings claim Jackson’s inner circle enabled and concealed the misconduct.
Estate attorney calls lawsuit ‘desperate money grab’
Marty Singer, attorney for the Jackson estate, dismissed the lawsuit as a transparent attempt to extort money.
“This lawsuit is a desperate money grab by additional members of the Cascio family who have hopped on the bandwagon with their brother Frank, who is already in arbitration for related claims,” Singer told multiple outlets.
Singer noted the family staunchly defended Jackson for more than 25 years, including in Frank Cascio’s 2011 book “My Friend Michael” and interviews, in which they consistently maintained Jackson never harmed them.
“The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence regarding inappropriate conduct,” Singer said. He described the lawsuit as an attempt at civil extortion.
Previous settlement now deemed inadequate
The siblings previously received payments from the estate — reportedly $690,000 per year for five years — following the 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland.” They now argue that amount was insufficient.
Their attorney, Howard King, told TMZ his clients believe they deserve $200 million.
Broader context
Jackson died in 2009 at age 50. He was never criminally convicted of child sexual abuse and was acquitted of all charges in his 2005 trial.
The Cascios’ shift from defenders to accusers has drawn skepticism in some circles given their past involvement in Jackson-related projects, including alleged fake songs on a posthumous album.
The case is in early stages with no trial date set. The estate is expected to push for arbitration or dismissal based on the family’s previous statements defending Jackson.
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