Content Advisory: This article discusses serious abuse allegations involving minors and related legal proceedings. Reader discretion is advised.
Michael Jackson’s estate is facing a new lawsuit from a family that once publicly defended him and described itself as his “second family.”
Dominic and Connie Cascio, along with their five children, have accused the late pop star of abusing four of the children at Neverland Ranch, during trips, and at tour stops. The lawsuit arrives as ‘Michael’, the new biopic about Jackson, is in theaters nationwide.
The Cascio Family Once Defended Michael Jackson
For years, the Cascio family stood by Jackson. They appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in 2010 and defended him against abuse allegations. They also described their bond with Jackson as unusually close, calling themselves part of his inner circle. That history now sits at the center of the lawsuit.
According to The New York Times, the Cascios had brought allegations to the Jackson estate years earlier. The family and the estate reportedly reached a confidential agreement worth about $16 million over five years. The payments stopped in 2025, another round of talks failed, and the family has now gone to court. Jackson first met Dominic Cascio when Dominic worked as a manager at a high-end Manhattan hotel where the singer often stayed.
Jackson Estate Calls Lawsuit A Money Grab
The Jackson estate is strongly denying the family’s claims.
Marty Singer, a lawyer for the estate, called the lawsuit a “desperate money grab.” He also pointed to the family’s earlier defense of Jackson. “The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct,” Singer said. “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.”
The family says its view changed after watching HBO’s 2019 documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’, which featured abuse allegations against Jackson. They said the documentary helped “deprogram” them and process what they claim happened.
Lawsuit Claims Grooming, Drugs And Code Phrases
The complaint describes Jackson as a “serial child predator” and accuses him of brainwashing the plaintiffs through attention, gifts, access to fame, and repeated declarations of love.
The suit also claims Jackson gave the young plaintiffs alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medication with serious side effects. It says he used coded language, allegedly calling wine “Jesus Juice” and hard liquor “Disney Juice.” The complaint further claims Jackson used phrases such as “Can I have a meeting” and “Go to Disneyland” as code for abuse.
The lawsuit also alleges that Jackson warned the plaintiffs their family’s lives would be destroyed if his conduct became known. It claims he coached them on what to say if police or other adults asked questions.
The allegations come as ‘Michael’ is expected to draw major attention in theaters. ‘Leaving Neverland’ director Dan Reed recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie’s popularity suggests audiences may ignore the allegations. He said some viewers may treat it as “a great jukebox movie” and look past the claims against Jackson.
