Michael Jackson's 'secret family' accuses singer of grooming, reveal disturbing sexual assault details

Fresh allegations against Michael Jackson have resurfaced after four members of the Cascio family, once among the late singer’s most vocal defenders, publicly accused him of years of grooming and sexual abuse in a televised interview with 60 Minutes Australia.

The siblings, Eddie, Dominic, Aldo and Marie-Nicole Cascio, claimed Jackson abused them over a span of more than two decades, beginning when they were children. According to their allegations, the singer gradually gained the family’s trust through gifts, luxury trips and emotional closeness before the abuse allegedly escalated behind closed doors.

The Cascio family had long been associated closely with Jackson and were often described as his “second family”. They had publicly defended him during earlier allegations and even during his 2005 molestation trial. Frank Cascio, the eldest sibling, had also written the memoir My Friend Michael about his relationship with the singer.

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‘He was the monster, not us’

During the interview, the siblings described years of alleged manipulation, emotional conditioning and abuse at locations including Neverland Ranch and homes belonging to celebrities such as Elton John and Elizabeth Taylor.

One of the brothers, Eddie Cascio, reportedly said Jackson “was the monster, not us”, while another sibling alleged the singer rehearsed mock interrogations with them to prepare them for police questioning or parental suspicion.

“When you have the biggest superstar in the world in the 80s that wants to be your friend, you’re vulnerable and easily manipulated,” Dominic said on 60 Minutes Australia.

Eddie added, “My parents were young. For them to have such a big celebrity want to be friends with them, they definitely felt special, and so did we. We were on tour, and that's when Michael started to get closer and started rubbing me on my legs. I was sitting on his lap, and that's when the first kiss happened, where he kissed me on the lips.”

He then claimed that the molestation happened ‘almost every night’ after that and alleges Jackson was ‘penetrating’ him after he turned 16.

“My manhood was taken away, as well as my childhood,” he said. The siblings also alleged they were exposed to alcohol, prescription medication and disturbing “games” during their interactions with Jackson.

Lawsuit against Jackson’s estate

The interview arrives months after four members of the Cascio family filed a federal lawsuit against Jackson’s estate, accusing the singer of child sexual abuse and trafficking. According to court documents, the alleged abuse began when some of them were as young as seven years old and continued for years.

Jackson’s estate has strongly denied the accusations. Attorney Marty Singer, representing the estate, reportedly dismissed the claims as a “money grab” and argued that the allegations surfaced over 15 years after Jackson’s death, when he can no longer defend himself.

The statement read, "This lawsuit is a desperate money grab by additional members of the Cascio family who have hopped on the bandwagon with their brother Frank who is already being sued in arbitration for civil extortion…Notably these shakedown attempts come more than 15 years after Michael’s death, thus carrying no risk of being sued for defamation. Sadly, in death, just as life Michael’s talents and success continue to make him a target.”

Allegations resurface amid renewed Michael Jackson spotlight

The renewed controversy comes at a time when Jackson’s legacy has once again returned to public conversation due to the commercial success of the biopic Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson as the pop icon.

Questions surrounding Jackson’s legacy have remained deeply divisive for years, especially following the release of the documentary Leaving Neverland, where Wade Robson and James Safechuck accused the singer of sexually abusing them as children. Jackson had consistently denied all allegations during his lifetime and was acquitted in his 2005 criminal trial.