Michael Jackson Estate Faces $400 Million Lawsuit Threat Amidst Paris Jackson Legal Battle

According to an exclusive report by Us Weekly, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, individuals who allege sexual abuse by Michael Jackson during their childhood, are seeking $400 million through legal proceedings.

This significant disclosure was made by John Branca and John McClain, who oversee the deceased pop icon’s estate, within court filings pertaining to a distinct petition from Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, concerning legal expenses.

In legal documents submitted on September 15, the estate's administrators clarified that considerable funds were expended to retain multiple law firms assisting the estate, among them the lawyers defending against the lawsuit brought by Robson and Safechuck.

Branca, aged 74, and McClain contend that should the court rule in favor of Paris, 27, — who disputes the estate covering all the legal costs — this outcome would result in “profoundly destabilizing consequences for the estate.”

They elaborated that if Paris's stance prevails, “the Estate would likely be forced to default in [Robson and Safechuck’s lawsuit], where extensive depositions, discovery proceedings, and other legal activities are slated for the coming months, and in which [Robson and Safechuck] are pursuing $400 million.” (The financial sum Robson, 43, and Safechuck, 47, were requesting had not been disclosed until now.)

The administrators further stated, “A default by the Estate in this litigation would be catastrophic.” Furthermore, they assert that their efforts, alongside those of the legal counsel they engaged, “have transformed an Estate burdened with nearly half a billion dollars in debt into a multi-billion dollar entity.”

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As initially reported by Us, Branca and McClain are engaged in a disagreement with Paris regarding particular legal expenses they are seeking to have covered by the estate. Paris expressed significant concerns about specific expenditures authorized by the executors and sought court intervention.

The estate administrators dismissed Paris’ assertions, affirming that all requested payments were legitimate.

As Us had reported earlier, Safechuck stated he first encountered the pop sensation during a Pepsi advertisement shoot in 1986, at the age of 10. He alleges Michael invited him to socialize a few months afterward. Their relationship deepened. Safechuck claimed Michael sexually assaulted him starting when he was seven. He asserted that this abuse continued for several years.

Robson similarly alleged that Michael abused him during his youth. He stated the sexual assault commenced when he was 7 years old and persisted for numerous years.

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Throughout his life, the pop icon encountered comparable allegations but was never found guilty of any offense. Robson and Safechuck shared their purported experiences in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, which debuted in 2019.

Robson and Safechuck have filed lawsuits against Michael’s corporations, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures. These companies have refuted all claims of misconduct.

In their latest legal filing, the estate's administrators asserted that a lack of legal support would also adversely affect other commercial undertakings.

They contended, “Without legal representation, the Estate would be compelled to default in ongoing lawsuits, leading to ruinous liability. The Estate would also forfeit the advantages of counsel in managing its intellectual property assets, which are crucial to its operations. The Estate would lose the advantage of legal guidance concerning its many prosperous endeavors and investments … including the MJ One Cirque production, MJ: The Musical, and the forthcoming film, Michael.”

In her submission, Paris challenged specific fees she considered exorbitant and requested the court to restrict the executors’ authority concerning the disbursement of legal fees. The executors dispute her stance, believing the paid and sought fees are standard for the industry.