Singer Jermaine Jackson is facing a potential $6.5 million default judgment in a civil lawsuit after the plaintiff requested a Los Angeles court to enter judgment against him for failing to respond to the case.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
According to court documents, Rita Butler Barrett, who has accused Jackson of rape, is seeking approximately $6.5 million in damages. Her legal team contends that Jackson has not participated in the proceedings, leading to the request for a default judgment.
The filings indicate that attorneys could not locate Jackson through standard methods and received court approval to serve legal notices via publication in the Los Angeles Times. Notices were published for four consecutive weeks in August and September 2025, with a second round in February 2026 to serve a statement of damages.
Background of the Case
Barrett initially filed the lawsuit in December 2023 under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, alleging that Jackson assaulted her in the late 1980s. In the complaint, she claims Jackson came to her home uninvited, forced entry, and “violently raped” her. She stated she feared for her life during the alleged incident and was left traumatized after he left.
Jackson has not publicly responded to the allegations or the latest court filing. Barrett is also seeking to recover over $7,000 in legal costs related to filing fees and the publication of notices.
If the court grants the request for default judgment, the case could be decided without Jackson presenting a defense.
