Latest news with #ConfidentialAcquisitionandConsultingAgreement
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson Estate Accuses Former Manager Of $213M Extortion Plot
The Michael Jackson Estate has ignited a legal firestorm, filing a petition against longtime Jackson associate Frank Cascio for allegedly orchestrating a $213 million extortion scheme. The case accuses Cascio of violating a confidential agreement by threatening to publicly reveal allegedly damaging and false claims about the King of Pop, years after he had defended his innocence. Michael Jackson Estate Alleges Betrayal By Trusted Insider Once a trusted confidant hailed as part of Jackson's "second family," Frank Cascio is now at the center of a shocking legal battle. On Tuesday, the Michael Jackson Estate and The Michael Jackson Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Cascio of attempting a massive civil extortion. In the court documents obtained by The Blast, the estate alleges that Cascio, along with unnamed accomplices, demanded hundreds of millions of dollars to prevent the release of what they claim are false and defamatory accusations against the late pop icon. "For over 30 years, Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as part of Michael's 'second family,' and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson," a spokesperson for the estate told The Blast in a written statement. "Now, years after Michael's passing, Mr. Cascio is attempting to profit by reversing his position and manufacturing claims he previously denounced as false." Michael Jackson Estate Cites Violation Of Confidential Agreement At the heart of the legal dispute is a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Agreement, which includes strict confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, as well as a binding arbitration clause. According to the estate, Cascio's current legal team, led by celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who once defended Jackson, threatened to go public with the claims unless a massive settlement was reached. "This is a straightforward case of civil extortion and breach of contract," said Martin D. Singer, the estate's attorney. "We will not allow the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited through threats and falsehoods." The estate is seeking a court order to force Cascio into arbitration and prevent any public legal filings that could damage Jackson's posthumous reputation. Arbitration proceedings reportedly began in September 2024 and remain ongoing. Frank Cascio Faces Explosive Gambling Allegations The lawsuit against Cascio comes two months after he faced allegations connected to unpaid gambling debts and questionable arrangements with Instagram models. The 45-year-old reportedly contacted models through the platform, Seeking Arrangement, allegedly paying for their company on private outings. Two influencers, Grace Glenn and Julia Geraci, recounted their unsettling experiences, revealing how their encounters with Cascio spiraled into something far darker. "Frank was super chill and generous. Seemed like a really normal person and was polite. He paid for Ubers, dinner, and everything else," Grace told The Blast. She added, "But then we were approached by random men literally outside our hotel. They told us that he owed a lot of money and they would pay us for any information, and they wanted to know where he was. We thought it was a prank at first, but after a few minutes, we realized it was serious." Julia echoed the concern. "It was scary. I matched with him on SA (Seeking Arrangement) and thought he was just a rich guy with a lot of success in the music industry. He didn't have any Instagram or even Facebook when we tried to look him up or anything." She continued, "At first, we thought it was just a catfish account until we called him on FaceTime. I thought maybe he could help us network or at least just have some fun." Instagram Models Claim Cascio Vanished After Debt Collectors Showed Up Grace and Julia, who have a combined following of over three million, say they were blindsided by men seeking repayment of more than $200,000 in alleged gambling debts owed by Cascio. Julia later claimed, "He stopped responding to my texts and blocked me on SA (Seeking Arrangement)." Cascio, whose ties to the Jackson family once granted him rare insider access, has remained silent amid mounting questions. With no active social media presence or public statement, the former manager continues to elude the spotlight. Michael Jackson's Friendship With Frank Cascio Cascio first met Jackson in 1984 and quickly became part of the pop star's trusted inner circle. By the age of 18, he had joined Jackson's team as an assistant and later became his manager. In interviews and his memoir, "My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man," Cascio frequently reminisced about their deep bond. "We established a real friendship. We became a big family; Michael was a part of our family. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday—we made a point to celebrate together. It became tradition for all of us," he told HuffPost. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson's Biopic Hit With Third Blow Amid Estate Issues
's highly anticipated biopic has received what fans hope will be its final postponement after multiple hiccups. The movie covering the late King of Pop's life and career has faced three significant delays in its release date since its announcement. The biopic's premiere was rescheduled from April 2025 to October 2025, and now to April 24, 2026. Sources claim the drama surrounding Michael Jackson's biopic has burdened his young nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who portrays him in the movie. Additionally, the late singer's estate is currently at odds with his longtime associate over a $213 million extortion scheme. Michael Jackson's Biopic Postponed To 2026 According to new reports, Michael's biopic has officially been scheduled for release on Friday, April 24, 2026. It will have a global theatrical debut and be available on IMAX screens, marking its third and hopefully its last postponement. The delay with "Michael" began over the biopic's length, leading to it getting split into two movies to cover the late singer's illustrious career and life. There was a first cut in excess of 3½ hours, which also featured the second reason for postponement. The initial cut of the movie referenced Jordan Chandler, who had accused Michael of molestation at 13. The late entertainer infamously settled the shocking claims for $20 million in 1994; however, he did so without admitting guilt. Producers were forced to edit these controversial parts after production had ended because it was revealed that Chandler had an agreement that stopped him from being featured in the biopic. As for the movie's second half, Deadline reported it was still under development. The Late Singer's Estate At War With His Longtime Associate The new release date for Michael's biopic comes weeks after The Blast reported a war was brewing between his estate and his longtime associate, Frank Cascio. The Michael Jackson Estate and The Michael Jackson Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Los Angeles Superior Court early this month. The plaintiffs accused Cascio of orchestrating a $213 million extortion scheme, claiming he threatened to spread false allegations about Michael. A spokesperson for the estate noted in a statement that Cascio had spent over three decades as one of Michael's biggest supporters. However, he suddenly changed his tune for a massive payout. "Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as part of Michael's 'second family,' and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson. Now, years after Michael's passing, Mr. Cascio is attempting to profit by reversing his position and manufacturing claims he previously denounced as false," the rep claimed. The King Of Pop's Former Pal Allegedly Violated A Confidential Agreement In the petition, Michael's estate claimed Cascio's actions violated the terms of a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Agreement. They noted that the document included strict confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, as well as a binding arbitration clause. "This is a straightforward case of civil extortion and breach of contract. We will not allow the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited through threats and falsehoods," the estate's attorney Martin D. Singer declared. The petition implored the court to force Cascio into arbitration and prevent damage to Michael's reputation. Cascio's issues with Michael's estate came two months after social media influencers accused him of having gambling debts. Content creators Grace Glenn and Julia Geraci claimed they were approached by unknown men who wanted to know about Cascio's whereabouts because he owed them a substantial sum. How The Biopic Delays Affected Jaafar Jackson The postponement of Michael's biopic reportedly placed significant pressure on his nephew, Jaafar. The Blast shared that a source claimed the young entertainer was forced to bear the brunt of the delays, noting he "put himself through hell to master his late uncle's performance style, dance moves, and general manner." "He's had to maintain that peak conditioning and extremely low body fat for more than two years, starting with the early stages of the project and continuing through to the reshoots they've been doing this spring," the insider added. They added that Jaafar was equally burdened by his lack of power and control over the movie. The source alleged the situation was "frustrating" for Jaafar because he feared the biopic's final cut might fail to embody the critical aspects of Michael's life, career, and his infamous sexual abuse allegations. The late musician's sister, Janet Jackson, also attempted to ensure the movie's success. Michael Jackson's Sister Honored Him By Pausing Biopic Talks The Blast covered Janet's touching gesture in honor of her late brother's memory, revealing she refused to launch her own biopic until his was released. A source shed light on the situation, claiming the cultural icon did not wish to steal the spotlight and allow her family to enjoy Michael's moment. The source noted Janet was "extremely curious about how it's all going to turn out," claiming she held off on making any biopic decisions until she saw the outcome of Michael's movie. They added that she wasn't worried in the long run because her story differed from her brother's. "From her unlikely breakthrough in the late eighties to her three marriages, to 'nipple gate,' Janet has had a crazy career and made music that went around the world," the source said about the singer's life. Antoine Fuqua directs Michael's biopic, which features Hollywood veterans Nia Long and Colman Domingo. Can Michael Jackson's biopic debut in April 2026, or will it suffer another postponement? Solve the daily Crossword
