Michael Jackson Accusers Lose Bid for Public Trial, Claims Head to Arbitration

Four adult siblings who accuse Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were children have lost their bid to pursue the allegations in a public trial and must instead take their claims to private arbitration.

U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera sided with companies associated with Jackson's estate in a 10-page decision, finding that an arbitration clause the siblings signed as part of a 2019 settlement remains legally enforceable despite their objections. The ruling prevents Edward, Dominic, Marie-Nicole and Aldo Cascio from presenting their current claims before a jury.

The siblings argued that the agreement should not be enforced under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, a federal law enacted in 2022 that allows people bringing sexual assault or harassment claims to reject certain arbitration agreements made before a dispute arose.

Vera found that the law did not apply because the Cascio family's dispute with the estate had already begun when the arbitration provision was signed, several years before the statute took effect on March 3, 2022. The law applies to disputes or claims that arise or accrue on or after that date.

The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but concluded that he did not have legal grounds to disregard the arbitration provision. His ruling determines where the dispute will be heard and does not decide whether the siblings' allegations are true.

Arbitration moves a dispute outside the court system and places the decision before an arbitrator rather than a judge or jury. Proceedings are generally private and follow different procedural rules from a civil trial.

The siblings filed the federal lawsuit in February, accusing Jackson of grooming and sexually abusing them over more than a decade beginning when some were as young as seven. They claim he used his wealth and celebrity status to gain the family's trust before isolating the children from other adults and exposing them to drugs, alcohol and pornography.

The lawsuit alleges the abuse occurred at multiple locations while the siblings traveled or spent time with Jackson. Companies and representatives associated with his estate have denied the allegations.

The Cascio family was closely associated with Jackson for years and previously referred to themselves as his "second family." Family members publicly defended him against sexual abuse allegations, including around his 2005 criminal trial, which ended in acquittal. Estate attorney Martin Singer has cited that history in disputing the siblings' current claims.

The Cascios maintain that years of manipulation affected how they understood and described their relationship with Jackson. They have said their understanding of their experiences changed after watching the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which detailed sexual abuse allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck.

The ruling follows a separate dispute over the family's prior agreement with the estate that was also directed to arbitration. The siblings' sexual abuse claims can now proceed through that process.