The California Court of Appeals says it will allow molestation allegations filed against the late Michael Jackson’s estate to go to trial, per reports.
Choreographer Wade Robson is technically suing Jackson’s corporation, MJJ Productions, Inc., according to TMZ. The singer died in 2009.
The 40-year-old Brisbane native says Jackson eventually went on to molest him numerous times at his Neverland Ranch from the ages of 7 to 14.
However, attorneys for the company claim they had no legal obligation to protect Robson because it had no control over the legendary singer and his actions, the outlet reports.
The trial court initially sided with Jackson’s estate and dismissed the case in April 2021. But the Court of Appeals’ ruling this week will ultimately return the case to trial.
At a trial involving another boy in 2005, Robson testified that he slept in the same bed as the singer. However, nothing untoward happened.
Despite this, he later altered his account and filed a lawsuit against the late singer’s corporation in 2013.
There, Robson claimed he had lied during his initial testimony because of “complete manipulation and brainwashing.”
Robson made headlines four years ago for his involvement in the 2019 HBO documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” per the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, James Safechuck, who filed a similar lawsuit against MJJ Productions, will also likely be allowed to go to trial now based on the Robson ruling, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Safechuck was also featured in the documentary, The Shade Room reported at the time.
‘Leaving Neverland’ chronicled the alleged abuse both Robson and Safechuck claimed they experienced at the hands of Michael Jackson over several years.
Oprah hosted a panel after the show’s debut to give the two a platform to discuss their abuse.
Jackson’s children considered filing a lawsuit against Robson and Safechuck following the release of “Leaving Neverland.”
They reportedly only asked for both Robson and Safechuck to issue an apology.
A source close to the situation said: “It’s very important to them they carry forward” their father’s “legacy of philanthropy and humility.”