Seventeen years after Michael Jackson's death, allegations of sexual abuse are resurfacing following the release of previously unseen photos and a collective lawsuit filed by members of the Cascio family. The photos show the "King of Pop," who died in 2009 at age 50, seated with Dominic Cascio, who appears to be 9 years old in one of the images. Cascio, now an adult, said the photos evoke strong emotions in him, noting that he sees "fear and confusion" on his face and links his expression to the trauma he claims to have been experiencing at the time.
Dominic Cascio, along with his siblings Edward, Aldo, and Marie-Nicole Porte, have filed a lawsuit against Jackson's companies and estate in federal court in Los Angeles. Court documents allege that the singer drugged, raped, and sexually abused the plaintiffs when they were children, stating that some were as young as 7 or 8 years old.
The family had previously publicly supported Jackson, even after his death, declaring that nothing inappropriate had occurred. However, according to reports, they now claim to have been deceived and manipulated, with their stance changing after the release of the documentary "Leaving Neverland" in 2019. It is also reported that in 2020, there was a multi-million dollar settlement.
In the new lawsuit, the family alleges that the singer "brainwashed" them and forced them to sign deceptive contracts to keep silent. Dominic Cascio said he feels sadness and anger when viewing the photos, emphasizing how as a father he can no longer bear the thought of any child going through similar experiences.
At the same time, it is noted that the siblings, along with Frank Cascio, had filed a similar lawsuit, with a judge ruling last month that the matter should be resolved through arbitration. Jackson estate attorney Marty Singer stated that for decades, the Cascio brothers have insisted that the singer never harmed them or anyone else, highlighting that their current claims contradict their previous public statements.
Daily Mail reports that lawyers have called the allegations "a desperate attempt for financial gain," pointing out that the plaintiffs themselves have publicly asserted for years that Jackson did not harm them.