A federal judge has dismissed a child sex trafficking lawsuit filed by four Cascio siblings against Michael Jackson's estate, ruling that a 2019 settlement's arbitration clause requires the dispute be handled privately rather than in open court. Judge Hernán D. Vera called the allegations 'horrific' but said he had no discretion to ignore the arbitration agreement.
The Cascios, once dubbed Jackson's 'second family,' received a $3.5 million settlement in 2019 after alleging years of abuse, following the release of the documentary Leaving Neverland; they now claim that settlement was coerced and should be void. The estate calls the suit a 'forum-shopping' money grab, noting the siblings once publicly defended Jackson.
The family's lawyer said they will now pursue the case through arbitration, calling the outcome 'disappointing, but not surprising.' A related case involving Leaving Neverland subjects James Safechuck and Wade Robson has a new trial date set for 2028.
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