Michael Jackson Estate Case Moves to Private Arbitration

Michael Jackson - screenshot — Michael Jackson – screenshot

*The Michael Jackson Company achieved a major legal victory this week after a judge ruled that a civil case involving alleged sex trafficking claims must be resolved privately rather than in public court. The decision means the estate will handle the lawsuit in arbitration, avoiding the potential complications of a trial and courtroom proceedings, TMZ reports.

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The lawsuit was filed by Frank Cascio and his siblings, who are seeking more than $200 million. The Cascios claim they were victims of child sex trafficking by Jackson during the 1980s. We reported earlier that 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.

Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones - GettyImages — Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones – GettyImages

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.

This legal dispute is not new; the siblings previously reached a settlement with the Jackson estate. As part of that agreement, the judge noted that the family had agreed to resolve disputes like this through private arbitration rather than through public litigation. The latest ruling is seen as a significant win for The Michael Jackson Company, allowing the estate to manage the case behind closed doors.

The Cascios attorneys, Howard King and Mark Geragos, have argued that the siblings are entitled to the full amount they are requesting. In contrast, the Jackson estate’s lawyer, Marty Singer, characterized the suit as a “desperate money grab.”

With this ruling, the estate can now proceed under the terms of the prior settlement, keeping sensitive details out of the public eye. The decision marks a crucial step in resolving the ongoing legal battles surrounding the late pop star’s estate.

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