Legal Setback for Cascio Siblings in Lawsuit Against Michael Jackson's Estate
Four siblings who have accused Michael Jackson of abusing them as children have faced a setback in their lawsuit against the late pop star's estate. A federal judge ruled that the claims brought by Edward, Dominic, Marie-Nicole, and Aldo Cascio must be handled in confidential arbitration as per a 2019 settlement agreement. The siblings alleged that Jackson raped and molested them over a period of more than a decade, but the estate denies these claims.
The Cascio siblings, who once considered themselves Jackson's "second family," claimed that they were coerced into signing the settlement agreement and now argue that it is void. However, the judge ruled that any challenges to the agreement must be addressed in arbitration rather than a public courtroom. This decision aligns with a previous ruling in a related case involving one of the siblings, Frank, who also signed the same settlement agreement.
The siblings' lawyer expressed disappointment that the decision will be made by an arbitrator rather than a jury. The family had hoped for a public trial to address the alleged abuse and cover-up by Jackson's advisors. The estate has dismissed the claims as a "desperate money grab" and highlighted the siblings' previous statements defending Jackson's innocence. Despite ongoing allegations, Jackson was never convicted of child sex abuse during his lifetime.
The Jackson estate has consistently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and criticized the documentary Leaving Neverland for its portrayal of the accusations. The estate is currently facing civil abuse claims from two other men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who were featured in the documentary. The legal battle surrounding Jackson's legacy continues as the estate maintains its stance against the allegations.