Michael Jackson Estate Sued by Cascio Siblings Alleging Child Sex Trafficking and Long-Term Abuse
The estate of Michael Jackson is facing a new federal lawsuit filed by four adult siblings who allege they were sexually abused by the late singer over a period spanning more than a decade when they were minors.
The complaint, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, was brought by Frank, Dominic, Marie-Nicole, and Aldo Cascio. The 23-page filing alleges child sex trafficking, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, fraud, and breach of contract, among other claims. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
In the lawsuit, the siblings describe Jackson as a “serial child predator” who allegedly groomed and abused them beginning when some were as young as seven or eight years old. The complaint claims the abuse occurred across multiple states and countries, including at Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County and during domestic and international travel connected to Jackson’s tours and personal visits.
According to the filing, the siblings met Jackson through their father, who worked at a luxury hotel the singer frequently visited. The complaint alleges that Jackson cultivated a close relationship with the family, providing gifts and financial support while gradually isolating the children from other adults. The lawsuit further claims the siblings were given alcohol and drugs, exposed to pornography, and assaulted individually over extended periods.
The allegations detail specific locations where abuse allegedly occurred. The complaint states that Frank was assaulted during travel connected to the Dangerous World Tour and at residences in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as at Neverland Ranch. Dominic alleges abuse in Florida, New Jersey, New York, France, and South Africa, including during the HIStory World Tour. Aldo and Marie-Nicole make similar claims involving domestic and international travel, including stops in Las Vegas, Florida, and Bahrain.
The Cascio family had previously described themselves publicly as close to Jackson and were among his supporters during his 2005 criminal trial, which ended in acquittal on charges of child sexual abuse. Jackson maintained his innocence throughout his life and denied wrongdoing in past allegations. He reached a civil settlement in 1994 in a separate case while continuing to deny the claims.
The new federal lawsuit follows a related legal effort by the siblings to void a prior financial settlement with the estate, which they have described as an unlawful agreement intended to silence victims of childhood sexual abuse. A judge has not yet ruled on that matter and scheduled a follow-up hearing.
Attorneys for Jackson’s estate strongly dispute the allegations. In a statement, attorney Martin Singer described the lawsuit as a “money grab” and characterized it as a tactic designed to obtain large financial sums from the estate. Singer stated that the Cascio family publicly defended Jackson for decades and alleged that the claims are connected to what he described as a prior $213 million extortion demand. The estate has sought to compel arbitration in related proceedings.
Howard King, representing the siblings, said in a statement that his clients decided to move forward despite what he described as threats and accusations from the estate. He said they are seeking compensation and hope their claims will encourage other individuals to speak out.
Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 from an accidental overdose of propofol. His estate has remained commercially active, managing his catalog and related ventures, and a biographical film about his life is scheduled for release next year.
