New Lawsuit Alleges Michael Jackson Drugged and Sexually Abused Four Siblings as Biopic Opens

Key facts

• Four Cascio siblings filed a sex trafficking and fraud lawsuit in federal court in February 2025.
• The suit alleges Jackson drugged, raped and sexually assaulted the plaintiffs starting when they were as young as seven or eight.
• The Jackson estate paid the siblings $2.8 million each over five years under a 2020 agreement.
• The estate's attorney, Marty Singer, calls the lawsuit a 'desperate money grab' and cites a 2010 Oprah interview where the family praised Jackson.
• A motion to compel arbitration is set to be argued before Judge Hernan D. Vera on June 4.
• The biopic 'Michael' grossed $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend, sparking family discussions of sequels and a 'Thriller' tour.
• Jackson died in 2009 from acute propofol intoxication, ruled a homicide.

Lawsuit Alleges Decade-Long Abuse as Biopic Hits Theaters

On the same weekend that the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' opened to a $217 million global box office, four siblings from the Cascio family filed a federal lawsuit accusing the late singer of drugging, raping and sexually assaulting them over more than a decade. The complaint, lodged in February 2025, alleges that Jackson's attacks began when some of the plaintiffs were as young as seven or eight and continued in locations around the world, including in the siblings' family home. The suit names Jackson's estate, its executors John Branca and John McLain, and affiliated entities, claiming they participated in a cover-up that included multi-million-dollar payoffs that dried up in 2025.

The Cascio Family's Allegations and the Estate's Response

The plaintiffs — Edward Joseph Cascio, Dominic Savini Cascio, Marie-Nicole Porte and Aldo Cascio — assert that Jackson was 'constantly under the influence of drugs and frequently intoxicated' during the abuse. They claim the estate created a 'deceptive and unconscionable document' to silence them after the HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland' aired. Representing the estate, attorney Marty Singer dismissed the suit as a 'desperate money grab,' pointing out that the Cascio family had staunchly defended Jackson for more than 25 years and even appeared on Oprah in 2010 to praise him. Singer filed a motion on April 17 to move the case into arbitration, arguing that a 2020 agreement signed by the siblings for 'multimillions of dollars' requires all disputes to be resolved through arbitration.

Financial Details and the 2020 Settlement

Under the 2020 Acquisition and Consulting Agreement, the five Cascio siblings received $2.8 million each over five years from the Jackson estate. The estate claims the agreement includes a binding arbitration clause covering 'any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to' the deal. The plaintiffs now seek up to $213 million, according to the estate, and are demanding a jury trial. The arbitration motion will be argued before Judge Hernan D. Vera on June 4, a key procedural battle that could determine whether the case proceeds in open court or behind closed doors.

Biopic Success Fuels Family Divisions and Commercial Ambitions

The film 'Michael,' directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer's nephew, in the title role. Its opening weekend gross of $217 million worldwide has already sparked discussions among the Jackson family about a second and third film, as well as a 'Thriller' tour, according to a source. The same source lamented that if matriarch Katherine Jackson 'totally understood what was happening it would break her heart.' The biopic has drawn criticism for allegedly whitewashing Jackson's controversial life, with some reviewers calling it a 'cheap and embarrassing bore.' Yet its commercial success suggests audiences are separating the art from the artist, as one headline put it.

Historical Abuse Allegations and Legal Precedents

Jackson faced sexual abuse allegations as far back as 1993, when then-13-year-old Jordan Chandler accused him of molestation. The singer was acquitted in 2005 on charges involving another boy. The Cascio siblings' lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges against the estate, which has also faced claims from Jackson's daughter Paris Jackson. The estate has consistently denied wrongdoing and sought to enforce arbitration agreements. The current case revives questions about Jackson's legacy, particularly as the biopic introduces his story to a new generation.

What Comes Next: Arbitration Hearing and Public Scrutiny

The June 4 hearing on the estate's motion to compel arbitration will be a critical juncture. If the judge rules in favor of arbitration, the Cascio siblings' allegations may never be heard in a public courtroom. If the motion is denied, the case could proceed to discovery, potentially unearthing new evidence about Jackson's conduct and the estate's handling of past claims. Meanwhile, the biopic's box office performance and the family's commercial ambitions suggest that the Jackson brand remains lucrative, even as the legal and moral reckoning continues.

The bottom line

• Four Cascio siblings allege Michael Jackson drugged and sexually abused them over more than a decade, starting in childhood.
• The Jackson estate paid the siblings $2.8 million each under a 2020 agreement that the estate says requires arbitration.
• The estate's attorney calls the lawsuit a 'desperate money grab' and cites the family's past public support for Jackson.
• A motion to compel arbitration will be argued on June 4, potentially keeping the case out of public court.
• The biopic 'Michael' grossed $217 million in its opening weekend, prompting family talks of sequels and a tour.
• Jackson's legacy remains deeply contested, with the film's success suggesting audiences are willing to separate the art from the artist.