Jermaine Jackson Scores Legal Win as Default Judgment is Voided in Rape Case

Jermaine Jackson has successfully voided a $6.5 million default judgment against him.

The Jackson 5 member will now get a chance to defend himself in court.

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Judge Elaine W. Mandel issued the order on Tuesday. She ruled that Jackson was not properly served with legal papers and had been sued under an incorrect name.

Jackson lives in Bahrain and changed his name to “Jermaine Jacksun” in 2013. The judge noted that the failure to use his correct legal name was “fatal” to the default judgment.

Judge Mandel wrote:

“The failure to use Jacksun’s true legal name is fatal, compounded by plaintiff’s decision to publish in Los Angeles, while Jacksun was apparently living overseas. Choosing to publish in Los Angeles after receiving notice that Jacksun was likely abroad, and doing so with an incorrect name, leaves no choice but to void the default judgment.”

Jackson was sued in 2023 by Rita Butler Barrett. She alleged he showed up at her Los Angeles-area home unannounced in 1988, forced his way in, and violently raped her. Barrett brought the case under a one-year legislative window that lifted the statute of limitations.

Jackson’s attorney, Bret Lewis, stated that Jackson denies the allegations. Lewis said:

“Jermaine is adamant that he did not rape the plaintiff. The alleged conduct is not characteristic of the Jermaine Jackson I have known. We intend to vigorously defend these allegations.”

Jackson did not respond to the lawsuit for over two years, leading to the default judgment last month.