By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior Nationwide Correspondent
The Property of Michael Jackson has filed an explosive petition in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom accusing Frank Cascio, a person as soon as described as Jackson’s “second household,” of masterminding a $213 million extortion plot to drive payouts by threatening to flip a long time of public assist into salacious allegations in regards to the King of Pop. The courtroom motion, solely obtained by Black Press USA, reveals in unprecedented element how the property contends that Cascio and unnamed associates used their proximity to Jackson—as soon as proudly touted in books and interviews—to demand a fortune from probably the most profitable movie star property in historical past. “For over 30 years, these people held themselves out as Michael Jackson’s most passionate defenders,” the petition states, quoting Cascio’s repeated assertions—underneath oath and on nationwide tv—that Jackson by no means harmed him or any baby. “It was a shakedown,” the property’s legal professionals charged.
A A long time-Lengthy Public Protection
As just lately as 2011, Cascio promoted his memoir My Friend Michael, describing a heat, fatherly relationship with Jackson. “I need to be exact and clear, on the report, so that everybody can learn and perceive,” he wrote. “Michael’s love for youngsters was harmless, and it was profoundly misunderstood.” He doubled down in dozens of interviews. Throughout a 2005 ABC Primetime Live broadcast, Cascio—then utilizing the identify Frank Tyson—declared: “If Michael ever laid a finger on me, I might not be on this chair proper now.” In a 2011 sit-down with Wendy Williams, he mentioned with conviction, “Nothing in any respect. And that’s what makes me so upset,” when requested whether or not Jackson had ever acted inappropriately. Even years later, one of many respondents continued to insist Jackson was a goal of “liars,” telling Oprah Winfrey during a televised interview: “Michael couldn’t hurt a fly. He’s such a sort and delicate soul. Michael was a goal.” In 2019, when HBO’s controversial Leaving Neverland documentary ignited a contemporary wave of criticism and threatened a number of Jackson-related tasks—together with Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE”—property co-executors John Branca and John McClain, together with the Michael Jackson Firm, sought Cascio’s assist. As an alternative, they are saying, Cascio turned on them.
A Secret Settlement
Dealing with mounting public strain and what they describe as repeated threats to invent new claims, the property entered right into a confidential settlement on January 10, 2020. Beneath the settlement, Cascio and his associates would obtain thousands and thousands over 5 years—$3 million every, in accordance with sources aware of the negotiations—in alternate for complete waivers, a sweeping nondisclosure clause, and an ironclad promise to arbitrate any disputes. The property mentioned it acted reluctantly to guard Jackson’s kids and protect tasks that may cement the late artist’s legacy. “We have now a fiduciary accountability to maximise the revenue of the property,” Branca mentioned in an earlier interview. “Our counsel insisted we signal the settlement. They didn’t need it disclosed both as a result of Michael’s followers would have gone after these folks.” The settlement contained an unusually strict provision barring even the disclosure of the settlement’s existence.
The $213 Million Demand
Regardless of having collected funds underneath that deal, Cascio, by means of legal professionals, allegedly re-emerged in July 2024 with a shocking ultimatum: Pay $213 million extra, or face a media spectacle. In response to the courtroom submitting, Cascio’s authorized crew—then led by legal professional Howard King—threatened to “develop the circle of information” and leak allegations to the client of Jackson’s $600 million music catalog if their calls for weren’t met. In a single e mail despatched August 29, 2024, King wrote, “We count on a substantive response by the top of day tomorrow. In any other case, we can be compelled to develop the ‘circle of information.’” The property known as this an extortionate menace designed to strain them into paying for silence. The property responded by initiating a confidential arbitration continuing on September 17, 2024, accusing Cascio of civil extortion and anticipatory breach of contract. Days later, Cascio’s legal professionals delivered draft lawsuits “riddled with outlandish scurrilous allegations” that immediately contradicted his years of public statements.
The Geragos Issue
By January 2025, Cascio had changed his counsel with Mark Geragos—mockingly, Jackson’s former protection lawyer who had proclaimed to Good Morning America that “there’s nothing sexual occurring” and that Jackson was “one hundred pc harmless.” In his 2013 book Mistrial, Geragos wrote of Jackson’s 2005 acquittal: “The proof was overwhelming that he by no means touched this child, and the complete factor was an enormous shakedown.” He additionally appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show in December 2021 to blast Leaving Neverland, calling it “a whole rewrite of historical past” and an “absolute travesty.” Nevertheless, now Geragos has taken the alternative stance, representing Cascio in a renewed effort to file public litigation. In response to the property’s submitting, Geragos lowered the demand to $44 million however warned that if the property refused, they’d sue for defamation, emotional misery, and an alleged “cover-up.” The property insists these claims are “bogus” and barred by the unique settlement’s releases and arbitration clauses. The petition factors out that the settlement explicitly requires arbitration for any disputes, even the query of whether or not a declare is arbitrable. “The query of arbitrability is itself a query to be resolved lastly by the arbitrator,” the contract states.
The Property’s Broader Mission
This newest authorized battle comes because the Jackson property continues to flourish. Since Jackson died in 2009, Branca and McClain have reworked a $500 million debt into an empire producing over $3 billion. Initiatives embody the record-breaking live performance movie Michael Jackson’s This Is It, Cirque du Soleil productions, and the upcoming Antoine Fuqua biopic MICHAEL, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar. But Branca says managing the property means defending it from opportunistic assaults. “Michael was conscious about the racial undertones in how he was perceived,” Branca informed Black Press USA in a previous interview, recalling Jackson’s lament: “Sinatra’s the chairman of the board. Elvis is the king. Springsteen is the boss. However what do they name me? The Gloved One…that’s racist.” Branca added, “I undoubtedly consider there’s a racist ingredient within the media protection of Michael Jackson because the Eighties. Michael bought so massive many have been jealous.” The property has requested that the courtroom order Cascio into arbitration and award authorized charges. If the petition is granted, any subsequent proceedings would happen in non-public. For now, the property is vowing to not yield. “We’ll proceed to handle the property with the integrity and dedication that Michael deserved,” Branca mentioned. “Makes an attempt like this to tarnish his reminiscence for monetary achieve is not going to succeed.”
