Cascio Family Claims Decades of Abuse by Michael Jackson After Years of Public Defense

In a stunning reversal from their long-held public stance, four siblings of the Cascio family have filed a lawsuit claiming Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years, despite previously defending the late pop star on national television and in numerous public forums.

The Cascios, once proudly known as Jackson’s “second family,” now allege they were groomed to protect the singer and act as “soldiers” in his defense against similar accusations from others. Their relationship with Jackson began in the 1980s when their father Dominic, a Manhattan hotel manager, befriended the star who subsequently became a regular visitor to their New Jersey home.

In December 2010, during an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, Eddie, Frank, and Marie Nicole Cascio emphatically denied any impropriety in their relationship with Jackson, with Eddie asserting that his friend Michael “was a target.” Now, they claim this unified defense was a fabrication.

Four of the five Cascio siblings are currently suing the Jackson estate, with the fifth sibling stating he was also abused but unable to join the lawsuit for legal reasons. The allegations detail disturbing accounts of sexual assault that allegedly occurred at multiple locations including Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, during worldwide tours, and even in the Cascio family home.

Aldo Cascio, now 35, alleges the abuse began when he was approximately 7 years old. Marie Nicole Porte, 37, claims her abuse started at age 12 inside their family home where Jackson stayed for months following the September 11 attacks. Dominic, 39, alleges his abuse began around age 8 during a trip to Euro Disney. Eddie, 43, stated through tears that abuse occurred well into his adulthood.

The siblings claim they maintained their silence due to a combination of factors: Jackson’s celebrity status, his insistence that their relationship was “special,” and warnings that disclosure would destroy both his life and theirs. None of the children told their parents or each other about the alleged abuse at the time.

“We were brainwashed, we were groomed,” said Eddie, explaining how Jackson taught them to defend him against similar allegations from others.

The Cascio family’s relationship with Jackson had been extensive and public. They visited Neverland Ranch, attended his concerts from privileged positions, and received significant financial benefits. Frank Cascio even authored a book in 2011 titled “My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship With an Extraordinary Man,” which repeatedly denied any inappropriate behavior by Jackson toward children.

The siblings claim their perspective dramatically shifted after watching the 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which featured allegations from Wade Robson and James Safechuck. They say they were “deprogrammed” by the film, recognizing similarities between those accounts and their own experiences with Jackson.

The Jackson estate has consistently denied all allegations against the late pop star. Marty Singer, attorney for the estate, characterized the lawsuit as “a desperate money grab” and pointed out that the family had “staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years.”

Court documents reveal a complex financial history between the parties. After approaching the estate in 2019 with their allegations, the siblings received payments totaling approximately $16 million over five years. As these payments neared their conclusion in 2024, negotiations for additional compensation reportedly became contentious, ultimately leading to the current litigation.

The estate contends the siblings are opportunists seeking to exploit negative publicity following the “Leaving Neverland” documentary to “manufacture false allegations” for financial gain. They point to an alleged demand from Frank Cascio for an additional $213 million and claim the lawsuit violates a prior agreement to arbitrate disputes.

The Cascio parents, Connie and Dominic, have expressed remorse for not recognizing what their children allegedly experienced. “I should have known, and I didn’t,” Connie told GB News recently. “Honestly, God knows, I didn’t.”

The lawsuit emerges as a new Jackson biopic titled “Michael” is set to premiere. The film, produced in partnership with the Jackson estate, covers the performer’s life only until 1988, before any public allegations surfaced.