Jermaine Jackson is contesting a $6.5 million default judgment against him stemming from a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Rita Butler Barrett.
- June 8, 2026
AceShowbiz - Jermaine Jackson is contesting a $6.5 million default judgment against him stemming from a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Rita Butler Barrett. He has denied the allegations in newly filed court documents.
The lawsuit accuses Jermaine Jackson of raping Barrett in the spring of 1988 at her Los Angeles-area home. The default judgment was entered because Jackson did not respond to the lawsuit for over two years. His legal team argues the judgment should be vacated, asserting that Jackson was not properly served due to attempts made at an outdated address and under a former legal name. Jackson's attorney also stated that he only recently became aware of the lawsuit, which prevented him from responding before the judgment was issued. A hearing on the request to set aside the judgment is scheduled for June 30, 2024, before Judge Elaine W. Mandel in Los Angeles.
Jermaine Jackson is best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5 and for his solo hits like "Let’s Get Serious." He has appeared in projects including Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall and the 1984 film "Voyage of the Rock Aliens." Jackson currently resides overseas in Bahrain and legally changed his name to Jermaine LaJuane Jacksun in 2013. He has had multiple marriages, including past relationships with Hazel Gordy and Alejandra Genevieve Oiaza, and is currently married to Halima Rashid.
This development is significant as it directly challenges a multimillion-dollar judgment tied to decades-old allegations. It highlights ongoing legal battles involving prominent figures and the complexities of service and response in long-delayed cases. The outcome of the June hearing will determine whether Jackson can contest the claims in court or if the judgment will stand as is.