WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC INFORMATION
Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s brother, was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed Thursday by Rita Butler Barrett in Los Angeles.
“Plaintiff is a survivor of sexual abuse, sexual battery, sexual assault, harassment and rape by the hands of Jermaine Jackson (‘Defendant Jackson’) in or across the Spring of 1988,” based on paperwork obtained by Fox Information Digital.
Barrett claimed to report the assault to Motown Information founder Berry Gordy, a household good friend. Within the lawsuit, Barrett alleged “Gordy withheld and hid the acts, additional perpetuating the cover-up” to guard Jackson’s repute.
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Barrett knew Jackson by way of “private/familial connections together with, however not restricted to by way of Berry Gordy of Motown.” She claimed that her husband, Ben Barrett, knew Gordy each personally and professionally, whereas Jackson was in a working relationship with Gordy.
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Representatives for Jackson, Gordy and Barrett didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
In Spring 1988, “Defendant Jackson pressured himself into Plaintiff’s dwelling, and with drive and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff,” the paperwork said. Rita claimed that through the assault, she “prayed to God for assist.”
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Barrett “feared for her life” through the assault, and “when Defendant Jackson was satiated, he left the residence.”
She claimed within the swimsuit, “In the future later, Plaintiff reported the assault to Mr. Gordy.”
“Due to his relationships with each Defendant Jackson and Plaintiff’s household, Mr. Gordy was uniquely located to each report Defendant Jackson’s acts and to assist Plaintiff throughout her time of trauma,” the swimsuit said. “As an alternative, Mr. Gordy withheld and hid the acts, additional perpetuating the cover-up and permitting Mr. Gordy, Defendant Jackson, and others within the enterprise relationship to proceed to reap earnings derived from Mr. Jackson’s work and repute for years to come back.”
“Upon data and perception, quickly after the assault of Plaintiff, Motown was offered for excellent revenue.”
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Barrett claimed “because of the assault, cover-up and ratification Defendant Jackson and his repute remained intact, whereas Plaintiff was pressured to endure in silence and disgrace for many years.”
Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc. and his Work Information, Inc. have been additionally named within the lawsuit.
Much like the New York Grownup Survivor’s Act, the lawsuit was filed as a part of California’s Sexual Abuse and Cowl Up Accountability Act, which permits survivors of sexual assault to file lawsuits towards entities after the statute of limitations has expired. CA-AB2777 expires on Dec. 31, 2023.
