Four siblings from New Jersey have accused the Michael Jackson estate of enabling and covering up years of sexual abuse by the late singer, according to a federal lawsuit filed in February. The allegations gained renewed attention after the plaintiffs spoke to the New York Times on the day the biopic 'Michael' debuted in theaters. The estate denies the claims, calling them a 'desperate money grab.'
Edward Joseph Cascio, Dominic Savini Cascio, Marie-Nicole Porte, and Aldo Cascio filed the complaint in Los Angeles federal court, alleging Michael Jackson drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted them starting when some were as young as seven or eight. The suit claims the abuse occurred over more than a decade in locations including their New Jersey family home, Neverland Ranch, and residences of Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John. Jackson allegedly used code words like 'Yogi Tea' for sex acts, 'Jesus Juice' for wine, and 'Disney Juice' for hard liquor while plying the children with drugs, alcohol, and child pornography, the complaint states. Jackson organization members witnessed and facilitated the abuse, according to the filing, which also names estate executors John Branca and John McClain, and private investigator Herman Weisberg as defendants. The siblings assert Jackson groomed them with gifts, celebrity access, and claims they were his 'true family.'
