Michael Jackson's Friend Accuses Him Of Abuse, Claims He Was Pressured To Sign The 2020 Settlement

Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will soon be playing the role of the legendary pop star in his biopic. Meanwhile, the singer's close friend, Frank Cascio, has made a shocking revelation. During a chat with Us Weekly, he accused MJ of abusing him and his family, claiming that they were pressured into signing the 2020 estate settlement. While the singer passed away in 2009, the settlement that followed has shocked the world. The estate of Michael Jackson, however, counters these claims, accusing the family of attempting to extort money in exchange for not going public with their allegations.

Michael Jackson's estate is being accused of alleged coercion and emotional pressure

In the court declaration, Frank Cascio stated that when his family agreed to a settlement with MJ's estate in 2019, he felt 'immense pressure' to sign the deal. He explained that, because he struggled with reading comprehension due to dyslexia, he was unable to fully understand the settlement's terms. He claimed the estate's lawyers misled him into believing that signing the agreement quickly would protect his family's privacy and bring them peace.

Frank claimed he had no legal aid at the time, and his misplaced trust in the estate led him to sign the document without fully understanding its implications. He revealed that all he knew was that his family would be protected and safe if he signed the settlement. He was quoted as saying:

"[The lawyer] simply pointed where I needed to sign. He then gave me a hug and said he was so sorry for what my family had been through and to please reach out if we ever needed anything. When I asked for a copy of the agreement, he identified which one of the Estate’s representatives would have a copy."

The estate's allegations of extortion

The Michael Jackson Estate's representatives strongly refuted Frank's claims. Instead, he accused him and his family of extorting money. According to the estate's lawyers, the family had previously defended Michael Jackson during his criminal trials, but after his death and the release of the documentary, Leaving Neverland, they threatened to go public with allegations of abuse unless they were paid substantial sums.

According to the estate, Frank's family demanded USD 213 million, which later dropped to USD 44 million after they hired a new lawyer. The co-executor of the estate, John Branca, revealed in court filings that they "reluctantly executed a deal to avoid further false allegations". The estate also referred to a bizarre meeting in which the family's representatives insisted on meeting in a private setting to avoid being recorded, which they called suspicious, as it aligned with the setting for an extortion attempt.

Michael Jackson's estate is still fighting the battle 16 years after his demise

The court battle continues, with Frank Cascio and his family pushing back against the estate's attempt to move the case to arbitration. The legal conflict has shed new light on the internal struggles of the Cascio family and the financial pressures that may have influenced their actions in the wake of Michael Jackson's death. Frank's sister, Marie-Nicole Porte, also filed a declaration stating that the situation was rushed and overwhelming. She stated:

"I felt trapped and powerless. I had no lawyer, I had not seen the document beforehand, and I had no real opportunity to understand all the legal principles contained in the agreement."

While the estate maintains that the family attempted to exploit Michael Jackson's legacy for financial gain, the family insists they were coerced into signing a settlement under pressure. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know.

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