Michael Jackson accusers seek $400 million payout in new court filings

Michael Jackson’s accusers are seeking a $400 million payout in civil suits against the late star’s companies, a figure the estate disclosed in new court documents connected to a dispute with Jackson’s daughter, Paris, over legal fees. Wade Robson, 43, and James Safechuck, 47, allege they were sexually abused by Jackson as children and have pursued claims against MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, the entities associated with the singer during his life and after his death. The revelation of the amount marks a new milestone in a long-running legal saga tied to the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, which brought renewed attention to the allegations. Jackson was never convicted of a crime, and his estate has consistently denied the accusations. The lawsuits remain active as the estate continues to defend its intellectual property portfolio and business ventures tied to the Jackson brand.

The $400 million figure surfaced in motion papers related to a dispute over legal fees between Paris Jackson and the estate. The executors say failing to pay lawyers could force a default in the Robson and Safechuck lawsuits, with potentially disastrous consequences for the estate’s ongoing business interests. They contend the legal bills already incurred, and those requested, are within industry norms and necessary to defend a sprawling portfolio that includes stage productions, a feature film project, and other ventures linked to Jackson’s brand. Paris has argued that the executors’ approval rights over certain fees should be narrowed, saying some charges are excessive. The estate maintains that the fees are reasonable given the breadth of current and upcoming matters, including the Robson and Safechuck litigation.

Robson and Safechuck’s legal path has been long and contested. Their cases initially faced dismissal in 2017 because the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims had expired. A change in California law later extended the period to file such claims, and in 2023 a state Court of Appeal allowed their civil claims to proceed, restoring a route to trial. The men reported in interviews and documentary footage that Jackson groomed and molested them when they were young, though Jackson’s estate has repeatedly denied the allegations. Robson has described being groomed from ages seven to 14, while Safechuck has spoken of years of alleged abuse and the impact on his life. Robson testified in Jackson’s 2005 trial, defending the star against a molestation accusation, a decision he later described as a difficult moment in his life.

The broader litigation landscape surrounding Jackson’s estate is complex and remains unresolved. In addition to the Robson and Safechuck actions, the estate is involved in at least five other litigations and arbitrations related to intellectual property, licensing, and business ventures. Among the notable projects tied to the estate’s ongoing efforts are the MJ One Cirque show, MJ: The Musical, and forthcoming motion picture projects linked to Michael Jackson’s legacy. The estate has argued that maintaining counsel and pursuing these matters is essential to protecting the value of Jackson’s intellectual property portfolio and the financial interests of his heirs. Critics and supporters alike are watching closely for how the court will balance the claims of the accusers with the estate’s responsibility to manage an extensive posthumous enterprise.

In their public statements and interviews, Robson and Safechuck have described their decisions to pursue claims as a bid for accountability and justice, while the estate emphasizes vigorous defense and the protection of its business operations. The parties have reiterated that the allegations are contested and that no criminal charges have resulted in a conviction against Jackson. The unfolding legal process will continue to test the boundaries of civil law, memory, and the management of a substantial entertainment legacy at stake for Jackson’s family and fans around the world.