The Property of Michael Jackson has launched a authorized battle in opposition to Frank Cascio, as soon as an in depth affiliate and trusted member of the King of Pop’s “second household,” accusing him of trying a large $213 million extortion scheme. The Property claims Cascio is threatening to launch damaging and false details about Jackson, a stark reversal from his earlier public defenses of the late celebrity’s innocence.
Based on court docket paperwork obtained by The Blast, the Michael Jackson Property and The Michael Jackson Firm, LLC filed a petition with the Los Angeles Superior Courtroom on Tuesday. The petition alleges that Cascio, together with unnamed accomplices, demanded a whole lot of tens of millions of {dollars} to forestall the general public disclosure of what the Property asserts are fabricated and defamatory accusations in opposition to Jackson.
“For over 30 years, Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as a part of Michael’s ‘second household,’ and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson,” a spokesperson for the Property instructed The Blast in a written assertion. “Now, years after Michael’s passing, Mr. Cascio is trying to revenue by reversing his place and manufacturing claims he beforehand denounced as false.”1
On the core of this escalating authorized dispute is a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Settlement. This settlement reportedly contains stringent confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, together with a binding arbitration clause. The Property asserts that Cascio’s present authorized workforce, headed by superstar legal professional Mark Geragos – who notably represented Jackson himself up to now – threatened to publicize these alleged claims until a considerable settlement was reached.
Martin D. Singer, the Property’s legal professional, condemned the alleged actions, stating, “It is a easy case of civil extortion and breach of contract. We won’t enable the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited by threats and falsehoods.”
The Michael Jackson Property is searching for a court docket order to compel Cascio into arbitration and to forestall any public authorized filings that would probably hurt Jackson’s posthumous popularity.2 Arbitration proceedings on this matter reportedly commenced in September 2024 and are at present ongoing.