(UnitedVoice.com) – Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” died in June 2009. The singer passed away from an accidental overdose of a lethal combination of drugs prescribed by his doctor, who was later charged and convicted for his role in the singer’s death.
Years before Jackson died, he faced a number of sexual abuse allegations. He was charged but acquitted in 2005. After his death, FBI files indicated the federal agency was unable to find any evidence that he abused anyone. Fourteen years later, the abuse lawsuits could be revived.
The Lawsuits
In 2021, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young dismissed a lawsuit filed by Wade Robson in 2013 against Jackson’s estate. The court ruled that two entertainment corporations tied to the singer were not obligated to protect the plaintiff from abuse.
According to Robson, he met the singer when he was just 5 years old and later recorded music and appeared in Jackson’s music videos. He claimed the superstar molested him for seven years. He argued the two entertainment companies Jackson stated should have protected him, claiming it was similar to a school or the Boy Scouts protecting kids.
The decision came months after a 2020 ruling dismissed a similar case by James Safechuck. He claimed Jackson began molesting him when he was 10 years old and continued for four years.
After Robson’s lawsuit was dismissed, Vince Finaldi, the attorney for both men, said he would appeal the decision. He stated that if the judge’s decision remained in place, it “would set a dangerous precedent” that would endanger thousands of kids in the entertainment business.
Appeal
On July 26, California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal came to a tentative decision that it was inclined to revive Safechuck and Robson’s lawsuits. The news broke during a pre-trial hearing. Holly Boyer, the attorney for the plaintiffs, argued workers at the entertainment companies should have spoken out. She explained that they require employees “take those steps” because they are discussing “the sexual abuse of children.”
Boyer went on to say the two men were just little boys and “ill-equipped to protect themselves from their mentor” and accused the corporations’ employees of leaving them “alone in this lion’s den.”
Jonathan Steinsapir, an attorney for Jackson’s estate, argued the cases should not be reopened because it would “require low-level employees to confront their supervisor and call them pedophiles.” Further, he said the evidence shows the parents of the two men had no expectations that the employees would act as monitors for their children. He pointed to a deposition from Robson’s mom, who reportedly didn’t even know the corporations existed.
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