Four siblings who allege they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson as children appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Jan. 14, where a judge indicated that a prior settlement agreement will likely prevent them from pursuing a lawsuit against the late singer’s estate.
Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole, Dominic, and Eddie Cascio have accused Jackson of grooming, manipulation, and sexual abuse during time they spent with him as children. For years, the siblings publicly defended Jackson against abuse allegations before coming forward following the release of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.
Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole, and Dominic Cascio attended the hearing alongside their parents. Eddie Cascio did not appear in court. The family is seeking to invalidate a confidential settlement reached in 2020, which their attorneys argue was unlawful and improperly enforced.
Judge Weighs Arbitration Requirement
During the Jan. 14 hearing, the judge declined to immediately rule on a petition filed by attorneys for Jackson’s estate that would require the siblings to resolve their claims through confidential arbitration, as stipulated in the 2020 agreement.
In a tentative ruling issued ahead of the hearing, the judge indicated the court was prepared to compel arbitration under the terms of that settlement, signaling skepticism about whether the siblings could pursue their claims publicly in court.
Attorneys for the siblings argued that the agreement should not be enforced, asserting that it was coercive and designed to suppress allegations of sexual abuse. One attorney told the court the tentative ruling was legally incorrect and urged the judge to reconsider.
Dispute Over Settlement and Alleged Extortion
Lawyers for Jackson’s estate disputed the abuse allegations and defended the validity of the 2020 settlement. They argued the siblings knowingly entered into the agreement and later attempted to renegotiate for additional money.
An estate attorney claimed the current dispute arose after what he described as a $213 million extortion demand made by the siblings last year. He said any attempt to file a public lawsuit would violate the settlement’s confidentiality and arbitration provisions.
The siblings’ legal team rejected those claims, maintaining that the family felt pressured into the agreement and that it is unenforceable because it allegedly served to conceal criminal conduct.
Emotional Court Appearance and Conflicting Claims
Following the hearing, one of the siblings was visibly emotional inside the courtroom. In a statement afterward, the family’s attorney said the siblings attended the hearing to witness estate representatives publicly accuse them of lying, despite having reached a confidential settlement with them years earlier.
Another attorney for the siblings said he possesses hours of recorded sworn testimony in which the siblings describe what he characterized as severe abuse by Jackson. He claimed representatives for the estate have viewed portions of that footage.
The estate’s attorney strongly denied those assertions, calling them false and stating that no such admissions or acknowledgments were ever made. He further alleged that communications from the siblings’ legal team constituted extortion and said the matter has been reported to authorities.
What Comes Next
The judge did not issue a final ruling at the Jan. 14 hearing. A follow-up court date has been scheduled for March 5, when the court is expected to further address whether the siblings’ claims must be resolved through arbitration or can proceed in court.
No criminal charges have ever been filed against Michael Jackson related to the allegations raised in this case. Jackson died in 2009 at age 50.