Michael Jackson Paid $200 Million in Hush Money to 20 Sex Abuse Victims

Two adult men -- Wade Robson, 32, and James Safechuck, 36 -- who claimed the late Michael Jackson began sexually assaulting them when they were 7 and 9, respectively, have filed lawsuits against the late pop star's estate. This Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff will begin hearing arguments on whether the cases can proceed. During the discovery, Wade and James' lawyers have discovered that Michael paid nearly $200 million in his money to the parents, families and lawyers of as many as 20 victims, according to the New York Post. This figure does not include the estimated $40 million he paid to the family of Jordan Chandler, who sued Michael sexual battery, willful misconduct, and emotional distress. Jordan said Michael assaulted him when he was 13 years old at Neverland and various hotels. As for Wade and James' lawsuit, here are some details of their complaint.

Safechuck first met Jacko in 1987, when James was 8 years old. Safechuck will testify that Jacko repeatedly molested him a year later during a tour and that Jacko wrote a check for more than $1 million to Safechuck’s father, a sanitation worker. Safechuck claims in court filings that Jacko held a secret wedding ceremony, with the young boy as his bride. He said the singer gave him a marriage certificate and a wedding band as keepsakes and confirmation of their “undying love.” ... Jackson would phone Safe­chuck and promise to “do great things together,” while Jackson’s mother, Katherine, for years would demand to know details of Safechuck’s alleged abuse by Jacko, Safechuck says in the latest court documents. “Did something happen between you and Michael? Are you OK?” Katherine asked him, according to Safechuck. “Jackson was successful in his efforts to the point that my client endured repeated acts of sexual abuse of a heinous nature and was brainwashed . . . into believing they were acts of love and ­instigated by James himself,” Safechuck’s attorneys says in ­filings. Jacko regularly dressed Safe­chuck in clothes identical to his and would tell reporters Safechuck was his cousin, a former Jacko employee said. Safechuck’s attorney alleges that Jacko molested Safechuck more than 100 times. Robson’s testimony, if the case goes to a jury, would be the opposite of what he told jurors at Jacko’s 2005 trial. Although he admitted then to sharing a bed with Jacko for at least a year, Robson said Jacko never touched him inappropriately. He claims he didn’t come forward until he started his own family after burying the “loathsome nature” of the molestations. “I lived in silence and denial for 22 years,” Robson said. He was 7 when Jacko first ­molested him, Robson claims. Each have sworn that the singer’s modus operandi was to seduce them and their families with glamour, gifts and vacations to Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Robson’s claims will be bolstered by former Jacko maid Blanca Francia, who has sworn under oath and is expected to testify in the civil case that she walked in on Jacko showering with and groping the then-9-year-old Robson. She also said she walked in on Jacko and Robson while they were seminude in bed together. Jacko had always denied he molested children but refused to testify on his own behalf. In recorded depositions, Jacko mostly evaded questions about his relationship with boys, insisting only that he would never hurt a child. Those depositions, taken during music-industry-related lawsuits from the 1990s and early 2000s, include one video in which Jackson appeared heavily intoxicated, slurring his words and seemingly falling asleep. The videos would also be played in court for a civil jury. As with the successful civil case against O.J. Simpson following his acquittal on murder charges, everything will be on the table. A jury could hear evidence that prosecutors were barred from presenting.

source: NY Post

This case should be an interesting watch. We have our popcorn ready.