AceShowbiz - Michael Jackson is once again the center of controversy as a family once considered his "second family" has filed a lawsuit accusing the late pop icon of sexually abusing four of their children. The allegations come just as Michael Jackson’s documentary biopic is opening nationwide in theaters.

The plaintiffs, Dominic and Connie Cascio along with their five children, claim that Jackson sexually abused four of their kids during visits to Neverland Ranch, on tour stops, and other trips. This is particularly notable because the Cascios had previously publicly defended Jackson against abuse allegations, including during an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in 2010. They portrayed themselves as close to the singer and considered his "second family" for many years.

According to a report by The New York Times, the Cascios had approached the Jackson estate with their allegations several years ago, resulting in a confidential settlement agreement. Under the terms, the family was to be paid approximately $16 million over five years. However, when payments ceased in 2025, negotiations broke down and the family proceeded to file the lawsuit.

The connection between Jackson and Dominic Cascio began when Dominic worked as a manager at a luxury Manhattan hotel where Jackson frequently stayed. This relationship eventually extended to the entire family, which later became the basis for the abuse allegations.

Marty Singer, an attorney representing the Jackson estate, issued a statement denouncing the lawsuit as a “desperate money grab.” Singer emphasized that the Cascios had defended Jackson for over 25 years, affirming his innocence and described the new legal claim as an opportunistic attempt to obtain “hundreds of millions of dollars” through “forum-shopping.”

The lawsuit further reveals that the family’s change in stance was influenced by the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, which detailed accusations of sexual abuse against Jackson. The Cascios stated that the documentary helped them "deprogram" and come to terms with the alleged abuse they had endured.

The complaint portrays Jackson as a “serial child predator” who, over more than a decade, allegedly drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted the children, some as young as seven or eight years old. It accuses him of grooming and brainwashing the victims by showering them with obsessive attention, lavish gifts, and access to his celebrity lifestyle, while professing love and emotional need.

Details in the suit claim that Jackson was frequently under the influence of drugs during these incidents and provided the children with alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, and prescription medications such as Xanax, Vicodin, and Viagra. The lawsuit alleges the singer had code phrases like “Can I have a meeting” or “Go to Disneyland” to signal abuse sessions.

The Cascios claim that Jackson warned them that their lives and those of their family members would be destroyed if the abuse was ever revealed. The suit alleges he coached the children on how to respond if questioned by police or other adults about molestation. It also accuses Jackson’s employees, advisors, lawyers, and doctors of being aware of the abuse and either facilitating or concealing it.

The release of Michael Jackson’s biopic is projected to break box office records for a music documentary, opening to significant audience interest despite the ongoing controversies surrounding the artist’s legacy.

These new allegations come amid public discussions about Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed’s recent comments to The Hollywood Reporter. Reed stated that many fans overlook or dismiss the abuse claims, focusing instead on Jackson’s musical legacy, with some willing to ignore the severity of the accusations. Reed compared Jackson’s alleged actions to those of notorious figures like Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting the tension between the artist’s popularity and the serious nature of the allegations against him.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case adds another chapter to the complex and controversial history of Michael Jackson, whose influence on music continues to be weighed alongside persistent allegations of abuse.