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Allegations of harassment against Michael Jackson by Wade Robson go to trial
6/26/2023 4:23 PM PT
Michael Jackson is effectively being tried for allegedly molesting a choreographer Wade Robson when he was a kid… TMZ learned.
The California Court of Appeals has just cleared the way for Robson to advance his case – alleging that MJ molested him at Neverland Ranch when Robson was between the ages of 7 and 14.
The problem – Robson is suing Michael Jackson’s company – MJJ Productions, Inc. Jackson’s company lawyers argued the company had no legal obligation to protect Robson or anyone else from MJ since it was unable to control him.
The trial court agreed with the estate’s reasoning, but the appeals court wanted to disagree, and after a preliminary judgment – which almost always becomes final – the case is remanded for trial.
Robson alleges Jackson befriended and sexually abused him when he came to the United States from Australia as a young boy.
When Jackson was on trial for molesting another boy in 2005, Robson testified that he slept with the singer in MJ’s bed, but nothing happened. In 2013, he changed his story and filed a lawsuit against the company. He said he falsely testified on Jackson’s behalf due to “complete manipulation and brainwashing.”
TMZ.com
An other man, James Safechuck, filed a similar lawsuit against MJJ Productions and is also pending in the Circuit Court of Appeals. Given today’s preliminary verdict, it looks like Safechuck will have his day in court, too.
Sources close to the legal team at MJJ Productions tell TMZ that the ruling has nothing to do with the merits of the case and they expect to prevail in the case.
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