Jermaine Jackson is speaking out. Specifically, the Jackson 5 member claims a $6.5 million default judgment over a r*pe accusation that overshadowed his son Jaafar Jackson‘s breakthrough role in the Michael biopic.
Full story below…
A judge entered the default judgment in May after Jermaine failed to respond to a 2023 lawsuit. Rita Butler Barrett filed that lawsuit, alleging Jermaine sexually assaulted her in 1988.
According to TMZ, Jermaine stated in new legal documents that the coverage “ruined what should have been a proud and important professional moment for my son and our family.”
He added that he was “shocked and deeply concerned about the effect of those reports on my reputation and on the promotion of my son’s motion picture.”
Barrett’s lawsuit alleged that Jermaine forced his way into her home and assaulted her. She also claimed she reported the incident to Motown founder Berry Gordy, who allegedly concealed it to protect Jermaine’s career.
Jermaine is now seeking to throw out the judgment. He insists he was unaware of the lawsuit and wants the opportunity to defend himself.
He maintains he did not deliberately avoid the case and denies the allegations.
😫😢
It was the best selling biopic ever made i hardly think that lawsuit did any damage at all.