Siblings of Michael Jackson Appear in Court Amid Judge’s Ruling on Past Settlement Limitations

Michael Jackson in May 2005.
Credit :

Christina Barany/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Four siblings alleging childhood abuse by Michael Jackson appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on January 14
• A judge indicated that a previous settlement may prevent them from suing Jackson’s estate
• The siblings, excluding Eddie, sought to nullify a 2020 settlement, which their attorney Mark Geragos argued was “unlawful” in recent court filings

On January 14, four siblings accused of being abused by Michael Jackson in their childhood appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom. The court proceedings revealed that a prior settlement could inhibit their ability to sue the estate of the late pop icon, according to multiple outlets.

The siblings—Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole, and Dominic—previously defended Jackson against accusations of child abuse for decades. However, they have recently alleged that they experienced grooming, manipulation, and molestation during their time spent with him, a claim that emerged following the 2019 release of the docuseries Leaving Neverland.

The siblings, accompanied by their parents but excluding Eddie, attended the hearing to challenge a 2020 settlement that Geragos claimed was “unlawful.”

During the hearing, the judge opted not to immediately decide on a petition from Jackson’s estate attorney, Marty Singer, which sought to compel the Cascios into confidential arbitration as outlined in the previous settlement agreement, per Rolling Stone.

Michael Jackson in Pasadena in January 1993.

Steve Granitz/Getty

Singer argued in court that the siblings previously agreed to a deal with Jackson’s estate in 2020 but later attempted to renegotiate for a larger payout, suggesting that their current lawsuit conflicts with the original settlement.

“We categorically dispute these claims [of abuse by Jackson],” Singer asserted, as reported by Rolling Stone. “The reason this case is proceeding is because of an extortion demand of $213 million that was made last summer.”

Geragos, representing the Cascios, stated to PEOPLE that the family felt coerced into the 2020 settlement agreement.

In prior court documents, Geragos described the settlement as “unenforceable,” asserting it was designed to suppress allegations of abuse.

Ahead of the hearing, Rolling Stone reported that a judge indicated a willingness to enforce arbitration. Geragos expressed his strong disagreement, stating that he believed the tentative ruling was “wrong on the law.”

Both parties’ legal teams have been contacted for further comments.

Following the January 14 hearing, during which reports indicated that one sibling was seen crying, Geragos remarked to USA Today, “The family traveled to court to witness Mr. Singer and Mr. Branca call them liars, just five years after Mr. Branca paid the Cascio family in a confidential deal, believing they were telling the truth.”

Attorney Howard King, who is also representing the Cascios, told TMZ that he possesses 10 hours of video testimony from the siblings, which he claims details “horrific abuse” by Jackson. He further indicated that portions of this testimony have been reviewed by Singer.

In response to these statements, Singer told USA Today that King was “outright” lying, insisting, “I never made any of the statements he claims were made.”

Singer added that his co-counsel, Jonathan Steinsapir, corroborates his claim, calling King’s statements a “complete fabrication.” He emphasized that King is deflecting from the fact that a $213 million extortion demand is currently part of a claim against Frank Cascio, which has been reported to authorities.

A follow-up hearing is scheduled for March 5.