A federal judge in California has ruled that the lawsuit filed by four siblings accusing the late pop star Michael Jackson of sexual abuse must be resolved through private arbitration rather than a public trial. The decision, delivered on Wednesday, is a significant legal victory for Jackson's estate.
Background of the Lawsuit
The Cascio siblings—Edward, Dominic, Marie-Nicole, and Aldo—filed their lawsuit in February 2026, alleging that Jackson raped and molested them over a period exceeding a decade. The siblings were close to Jackson during their childhood and reportedly considered him part of their family. They had previously defended the singer when allegations of child sexual abuse emerged against him.
Their stance changed following the release of the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, which they said prompted them to reconsider their previous support for Jackson. Subsequently, they filed the lawsuit accusing Jackson of sexual abuse and alleging that people around him participated in a cover-up.
The Court's Ruling
In Wednesday's ruling, the judge found that a 2019 settlement between the parties was enforceable and contained an arbitration clause. Consequently, the case must be sent to arbitration rather than proceed in court. The estate had previously reached a reported $3.5 million settlement with the siblings without admitting wrongdoing, and that agreement included the arbitration provision now central to the dispute.
Jackson's estate has categorically denied the allegations. The estate declined to comment on the ruling.
Reaction from the Cascio Family
Howard King, an attorney representing the Cascio siblings, expressed disappointment with the ruling. "It's disappointing, but not surprising, that the decision on whether the Cascios were duped into signing an unconscionable agreement with an arbitration clause will be made by an arbitrator rather than a jury of peers," King said.
He added that the family had hoped for a public trial addressing what they described as decades of abuse and an alleged cover-up. "The family had hoped the court would allow for a public trial over the decades-long molestations of the Cascio siblings by Michael Jackson and the ensuing cover-up by his advisors. Instead, the family will seek justice from the dark confines of a private conference room," King said.
The ruling means the allegations will now be considered in private arbitration rather than before a jury in an open courtroom. The Cascio family will pursue their claims in that confidential setting, marking the next stage in this long-running legal battle.
