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Wed 16 Jun, 2004 09:45 am
Jackson settled first child molestation suit for approximately $25 million
By Rochelle Steinhaus
Court TV
Updated June 16, 2004, 11:36 a.m. ET
Michael Jackson paid out more than $20 million to settle a civil suit by a boy who accused him of molesting him in 1993, according to the confidential agreement which was exclusively obtained by Court TV's Diane Dimond.
The pop star, according to the agreement, maintained the settlement did not signify an admission of any wrongdoing against the boy or his parents.
Jackson "specifically disclaims any liability to, and denies any wrongful acts," according to the 31-page document he signed on Jan. 25, 1994.
The terms of the settlement have been kept tightly under wraps for a decade, but were exclusively uncovered by Court TV.
Jackson agreed to pay $15,331,250 to be held in a trust fund for the accuser, now 24, as well as $1.5 miillion to each of his parents. The accuser may have also received another seven-figure payment not specified in the agreement. Additionally, the plaintiff's lawyer was slated to receive $5 million.
In exchange, the accuser and his parents agreed to not pursue civil claims against Jackson.
The agreement could play a role in the current criminal charges Jackson faces stemming from allegations by another California boy who accused him of molestation.
In April, he was indicted on 10 criminal counts, alleging 28 acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
Evidence of the 1993 accusations could be admitted as evidence of prior criminal behavior against Jackson in his current case ?- but only if the now-adult accuser is willing to testify.
In December 1993, the boy outlined his accusations in a sworn declaration, recounting his year-long friendship with the King of Pop.
According to the account, he met Jackson in May 1992 at the rental car business where his stepfather worked and where Jackson was renting a car.
The introduction led to several trips to Jackson's Neverland ranch, where the boy claimed he played video games, rode golf carts ?- and slept in the same bed with Jackson.
He and his family also took trips with Jackson to Florida, New York, Las Vegas and Europe, according to the statement.
"During our relationship Michael Jackson had sexual contact with me on many occasions," the statement alleges.
He accused Jackson of open-mouth kissing, fondling and oral sex.
His contact with Jackson ended, he said, when he went to live with his father in July 1993.
Two months later, they filed a civil suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for unspecified damages for sexual battery, seduction, willful misconduct, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and negligence.
The settlement agreement stipulated that the accuser and his parents were dropping all claims except that of negligence at the time of signing the document, with the caveat that once the money was received that claim would not be pursued.
Eight pages of the document addressing the payment arrangements were not disclosed. It is unknown whether Jackson paid the settlement from his own pocket or if it was funded by his insurance company.
I am 44 and Jackson is 45. Maybe I could insist we were together for a time in the 70's and he raped me. The payoff would be tremendous if he'd pay me just to shut me up!
Jackson Criticizes Settlement Terms Leak
Jackson Criticizes Settlement Terms Leak
By TIM MOLLOY, Associated Press Writer
6/17/04
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson issued a statement Thursday criticizing whoever was responsible for leaking documents that disclosed the settlement terms in a 1993 civil case accusing him of child molestation.
The records, obtained by Court TV on Tuesday, said Jackson had agreed to pay $15.3 million to a boy who claimed the singer molested him. Jackson, who faces trial in Santa Maria for allegedly molesting another boy in 2003, said he would never harm a child and said he had reluctantly agreed to the settlement because of the case's potential to harm his career.
"I respect the obligation of confidentiality imposed on all of the parties to the 1993 proceedings. Yet, someone has chosen to violate the confidentiality of those proceedings," Jackson said in the statement. "Whoever is now leaking this material is showing as much disrespect for the Santa Maria court's gag order as they are a determination to attack me."
He urged the public to see the leaks "for what they are."
"These kinds of attacks and leaks seek to try the case in the press, rather than to a jury who will hear all of the evidence that will show that I did not, and would not, ever, harm a child," Jackson said. "I have always maintained my innocence, and vehemently denied that these events ever took place."
In the current case, Jackson, 45, has pleaded not guilty to committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, and conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
The next court date in the case is June 25. Jackson is not expected to attend the hearing.
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