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Judge Signals Arbitration Likely in Cascio Siblings’ Case Against Michael Jackson Estate

At stake is whether a 2020 agreement’s confidentiality provisions, including mandatory arbitration, foreclose a public lawsuit.

Overview

  • The Cascio siblings asked a Los Angeles judge to void what they call an unlawful 2020 settlement that they say silenced childhood abuse claims.
  • Estate attorney Marty Singer said the family reached a deal in January 2020, later renegotiated for more upfront money, and that a public lawsuit would violate its confidentiality and arbitration terms.
  • Singer asserted the matter followed a $213 million extortion demand and categorically disputed the abuse allegations, a claim the siblings’ lawyers deny as they press to proceed publicly.
  • Attorney Howard King says he recorded about 10 hours of sworn video and audio testimony from the five siblings and claims he showed excerpts to Singer, a characterization Singer rejects as false.
  • The judge issued a tentative ruling favoring confidential arbitration, declined to enter a final order on Wednesday, and scheduled a March 5 hearing on sealing and related issues.