Michael Jackson’s ‘Second Family’ Say He Was a ‘Monster’ Who ‘Tricked the Whole World’
As the biopic Michael rakes in millions at the box office, siblings who described themselves as Michael Jackson’s second family have come forward with horrifying allegations of abuse. Siblings Eddie, Aldo, Dominic, and Marie-Nicole Cascio reportedly grew close to Jackson after their father met him. They allege that he sexually abused them over a period of years.
Michael Jackson’s ‘second family’ accused him of abuse
Jackson became close with the Cascio family after he met their father, Dominic, at a hotel where he often stayed. Per The New York Times, they became a “second family” to the pop star. They frequently took trips together and visited his Neverland Ranch.
In 2010, the Cascios appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to speak about their relationship with Jackson. At the time, they denied that Jackson had ever behaved inappropriately towards them. Now, they say they lied after “the biggest star in the world” “brainwashed” and “groomed” them.
After watching the documentary Leaving Neverland, the siblings say they realized that Jackson’s behavior had been predatory. In 2019, they came to the Jackson estate with “explicit details about Jackson’s abuse.” They ultimately settled, with the estate agreeing to five annual payments of approximately $690,000.
They have now filed a lawsuit accusing Jackson of repeated child sexual abuse.
Michael Jackson’s ‘second family’ described him as a monster
The Cascio siblings allege that Jackson abused them over a period of 25 years.
“When you have the biggest superstar in the world in the ’80s that wants to be your friend, you’re vulnerable and easily manipulated,” Dominic said in an interview with 60 Minutes Australia.
They allege that he began sexually abusing them when they were as young as seven. The siblings claim Jackson plied them with drugs and alcohol. For years, they say he groomed them to protect him.
“He’s a monster. He’s evil,” Dominic said. “What he did was evil, and he’s tricked the whole world to think that he’s this innocent, perfect human being, and he’s not.”
His estate has denied the allegations
Jackson’s estate has vehemently denied the Cascios’ story, as they have with other allegations of child abuse.
“This lawsuit is a desperate money grab by additional members of the Cascio family,” attorney Martin Singer, who represents the estate, said in a statement (per Variety). “The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct. This new court filing is a transparent forum-shopping tactic in their scheme to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Michael’s estate and companies.”
Singer noted that the family waited years to come forward with their account.
“Notably, these shakedown attempts come more than 15 years after Michael’s death, thus carrying no risk of being sued for defamation,” he said. “Sadly, in death just as in life, Michael’s talents and success continue to make him a target.”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
